Saturday, May 19, 7:11 pm
Hundreds Join India’s First Ever ‘Slut Walk’
SUPPORTERS OF SLUT WALK IN NEW DELHI ON SUNDAY - PICTURE BY DEEPANSHU SINGH
What is the reaction when a man sees a woman dressed ‘provocatively’? She is considered to be one with a loose character and definitely inviting trouble. Is it is the girl who is to be blamed for her conduct or is it the misconduct of men? It also raises a pertinent question that is it only those girls who are dressed like who are raped or sexually abused?
Women took to the streets of New Delhi this Sunday for India’s first “Slut Walk”, to protest sexual violence and this comes after skimpily clad women paraded the streets worldwide on the same issue.
A GIRL WITH A UNIQUE WAY TO PROTEST - PICTURE BY DENNIS SOMADULA
It was on May 28 that Melbourne witnessed a similar walk but the first one was held in Toronto this year. It all started after a police officer outraged women world over when he said in a speech to university students “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” It started as a protest in one city has spread over 60 cities worldwide.
FOREIGNERS ALSO JOINED THE CAUSE - PICTURE BY KAVISHA KISHA ARORA
We are sharing some pictures of the event today, and more would be added tomorrow, so remain logged on to The Sip of Life, which is supporting the cause.
The Sip of Life yesterday brought an exclusive interview with one of the girls behind the first ever Slut Walk in the Indian capital New Delhi on Sunday. The concept behind this big event was to discourage violence against women in public spaces and otherwise. It was spearheaded by Mishika Singh and Umang Sabarwal, both students of Delhi University.
EVEN THE BOYS WERE NOT BEHIND - PICTURE BY KAVISHA KISHA ARORA
Before the walk took place, Mishika Singh talked on what she had to say all about Slut Walk in a candid interview with The Sip of Life Moderator Amit Roy
What is the concept behind Delhi’s Slut Walk and when is it happening?
31st July! To sum it up in one line, the idea is to discourage violence against women in public spaces and otherwise.
Who are the people behind the whole exercise? Their brief profiles.
Umang Sabarwal started it. She is pursiung BA Journalism from Kamala Nehru College. I myself have graduated from KNC in Journalism, and currently pursuing law from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. Nipun Saxena, our legal advisor, is doing law from NLU, Delhi. Nanak Bhatia, our logistics head, is studying at Welcomegroup Management Institute. There are a lot of other people who are working with us.
How unsafe are women in a place like Delhi and where do you find the authorities lagging behind?
Very. To blame it on odd timings or the way women dress is not valid at all. Women fear being stared at, raped, molested as much as in daytime and when they are fully-clad as they would at night. More than authorities, it is a consequence of us not reacting. Staring, passing of lewd and obscene remarks is something all of the Delhi girls are used to. The problem is that we consider these things a routine affair, a ‘non–issue’. The idea of the Walk is to acknowledge these problems as well.
How have you made people aware of the walk? And what has been the response to Facebook page?
We started with Facebook. The response has been overwhelming. We spent two weeks performing street plays and holding discussions in remote places in Delhi and NCR to educate people about the movement. Apart from that, we have had three open discussions for three consecutive Sundays in order to generate awareness about the Walk.
What do you feel women should do to avoid being harassed?
As a matter of fact, why should a woman avoid being harassed? Shouldn’t the man be asked to avoid harassing women in the first place?
Not many of us know what a Slut Walk would look like in Delhi. Can you explain us?
The Walk is just a symbolic thing to show that we have a problem and we are going to do something about it. We have asked people to wear what they wear everyday. It’s not a party, it’s not a fashion so. And we don’t expect anyone to be dressed obscenely. We will be carrying placards saying a lot of different things. There will be a street play and a performance by The Delhi Drums Circle.
After the Walk is over, how do you plan to carry forward this campaign?
We will take a call on that once the Walk happens.
I am amazed at this concept. It’s surely going to make an impact. Well done Mishika and Umang!
It’s going to rock the national capital
All the best Mishika and Umang
I am a guy but agree to what Mishika is saying. Can guys be a part of the walk???
Slutwalk!!! Can Indian society take it?
Hey! girls you have done it. good initiative but just tell me should girls dress up revealingly. after all thats definitely inviting sick elements. not that it gives the guys a reason to sexually abuse them but yes those who are the bad elements, its inviting them for trouble
I agree with Himanshu. Girls you need to dress up decently. Why be vulgar? After all your dignity also matters. Slut Walk is a good cause but then it does not mean girls can dress up the way they want to.
I agree with Aditya and Himnashu, It must not going to be good for India.. Its seems only for those who are made of sick mind and not able to understand the human natural behaviour… and even they are totally raveling India and making it naked in front of the World… and destroying the people thinking……. and our tradition… It must encourage Rapist to do more Rapes.. and Rape Ration must Increase instead of decreasing…. Its very Cheap and vulgar thinking of youngsters who are doing this…
All girls gear up for the walk. We have to make it a great success. I will be there…
Yes its true.. i am also agree with these king of Freedom for girls. these are those youngster who just came out from the egg, not mature yet…. just thinking only for self freedom and how to get more lusty life as outside India… affected with virus. these youngsters are. It It can not be said mature thinking. India has its own culture, why people do not think ….. outer countries never accept our Indian tradition, culture but our young generation just go and follow them…. without any sens of humor. What parents are doing? shameless and senseless children they have.
I am so happy that India is waking up. And that too girls. I am one of the victims to sexual abuse. it was last year that I was walking down a Delhi road and three boys came and first passed lewd remarks. It was about 945 at night and I just ignored. I was afraid and could do nothing. Tried grabbing my cell phone from the bag and they snatched it. I broke down but they were sick and continued. I was literally grabbed, pulled on the side, molested for 5 minutes or so and left. I was not allowed to shout as I was threatened i would be kidnapped and raped. I went to the police, registered my complaint and the case is untraced. How many more girls must have been abused by them and they must be free. i guess slut walk should also target the police which has nothing to do except being in their uniforms making money and harassing the harassed.
To show their male support these girls will definitely come with their boyfriends. Girls, Come with your parents, your brothers , if you really want to prove your point
The point is, Whether these type of road shows will be able to protect girls. Whether this will change the mind of a boy who want to rape a girl.
i don’t know why you guys want to be called “Sluts”.
There is no doubt girls are exploited no matter what they wear. Guys just have to see a girl and comment on her and even see her with prying eyes. But yes this is not for all guys. There are others who are respectful towards girls and we must also appreciate them. Slut Walk is a good idea.
if the walk is about harassment of regardless what they where i whole heartily support them but some girls in name of freedom cant wear skimpy ones i agree that man with wrong views should be punished first but at the same time ur attire may be just adding oil to fire….whatever its good initiative for sake of women but make it more sensible we cant be westerns..we do hav some good culture n we can happily follow it to some extent.
i want to add one more thing its just like walking with huge amount of money in your hands and asking not be robbed….common we are not living in society where good rules.. we hav to be carefull…. i wish your walk does good in real sense…
Women should feel safe and the bad elements should be dealt with an iron hand. I pray to God that our society be the safest place for the girls and women. Good cause. It will create awareness. Best wishes..
“TAKING SLUT BACK”: the meaning of the word IS changing. young girls prefer to be called a slut rather than a bitch.when I was at highschool, if they started calling you a slut, you could forget it. not one guy would ask you to go out. this has changed, I think. I even found a brand of t-shirts using the word slut, and not in the negative way: http://slutshirt.spreadshirt.com/ it IS changing.
Its nice step by Mishika but i don’t think it can be accepted in Delhi!!!
Hello Girls…. Amazing… M fully with you all girls and it should be happened in every Town… City… and Delhi style Dream Cites to aware the Male Ego that now they are just Shut Up and be open mently to accept that A GIRL IS ALSO A HUMAN BEING… Some of my friendz well suggested that be in gracefully dress up and be brave to face all these males… We all are with you… Gud Luck… It will be in my city soon… All are welcome…
WHAT TYPE OF DRESS IS TO BE WEAR IS PERSONAL CHOICE. BUT IT SHOULD ADD IN YOUR GRACE. AND IT SHOULD GRACE THE OCCASION.
thats a modern becoming aware of women freedom….keep it up