New Delhi: The first ever SlutWalk in Delhi has been subjected to a lot of questions already. It has triggered debates on whether such marches are appropriate in India or not. The dress code, the message such a Walk conveys have been the talking points lately. Even calling the event 'SlutWalk' has been the bone of contention because of the usage of the word 'slut'.
On the other hand, the Indianised version of 'SlutWalk', called the 'Besharmi Morcha', has received a lot of support too. Many women who believe that this may be the first step of shifting blame for crimes against women from victims to the perpetrators. Many have shown interest and joined the protest can say, with a firm, belief that this may bring a change in mindsets about women's status in the Indian society.
'SlutWalk' started in Canada as a feminist response to a Toronto police officer who said, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised." The organiser of the Indian version of 'Slutwalk', Umang Sabarwal, says, "We felt the need to do something on similar lines after reading about the Walk in Toronto."
There has been a constant debate among Indian feminists over the lack of an original Indian concept and the need to ape the West. Umang defends the contention by saying that the organisers were doing their best to make the movement culture-specific so that it makes more sense to Indians. She says that considering the crime rate against women, the Walk should be able to strike a chord.
Is the culture-centric focus taking away from the central theme of the movement?
As in other cities across the globe the usage of the word 'slut' and the name 'SlutWalk' has been the essence. We ask Umang: what made the organisers change the name to 'Besharmi Morcha'? The 19-year-old says, "We wanted the movement to be more inclusive, and cater to women from all walks of life. Unlike the other countries where the event has been organised, English is not the language of the people of India."
Have the organisers gone way too far to suit the Indian sensibilities?
Umang clarifies, "There is a global connect to the protest. Hence, people were expecting the pattern to be the same as in other Western countries. But we thought it was also necessary to change the name and pattern of the movement and Indianise it."
The dress code has been a big question on everybody's mind as the common notion is that one has to be dressed in skimpy clothes to participate in 'Besharmi Morcha'. The organisers' message to the participants is clear: you do not have to dress up in a certain way.
Umang concludes with a poignant remark, "Everyone is expected to wear clothes that they would wear even outside the Walk. In India, you don't have to dress provocatively to invite rape, molestation, eve-teasing. Your existence is more than enough."
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