Controversy over Delhi's 'Slut March'

Delhi: You were not appropriately dressed, that's why you were subject to leering and catcalls. But she was wearing a provocative dress (could be anything from skirts to the very Bharatiya Sanskriti sari), that's why she got molested.

Such reasoning abounds when people try to justify violence against women on the streets. It is always a woman's doing, they say. However, if types of clothes decide whether one would be raped/ molested and still be called the perpetrator and hide away in shame, then how can one explain the rape of a 70-year-old women or two-month-old babies?

This is exactly what the movement Slut Walk is trying to convey. That no matter what a woman wears, it does not mean she wants to be leered at, molested or raped. The message is: "I am not inviting rape, no matter what I wear, what profession I choose, the way I talk, the places I go (to) or the number of guys I date." Delhi, notoriously known as the 'Rape capital of India' where women feel unsafe enough not to venture out sometimes even as early as nine in the evening, will be hosting the walk on July 24.

However, given Delhi's gender insensitivity in mind, the walk has been renamed Besharmi Morcha. Exactly what some politically-right wingers are calling it, and some women too, on their Facebook page.

 "It is beyond the limit of objection and against the dignity of women. We will be on the streets to counter it and also launch a Facebook campaign," says Vinay Kumar of Youth Unity for Vibrant Action.

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"Agar nangapan, besharmi had par karti hain (If indecency and shamelessness cross limits), they will have to face the consequences," said Vinod Bansal of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The wall of Besharmi Morcha's Facebook group too is full of such 'statements'.

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"Why do girls wear short skirts and mini dresses, just attract boys and impress those who sees her....why the hell wear such tempting type of clothes for others," wrote Mohan Rao to lot of counter argument from others.

While Slut Walk, or Besharmi Morcha as it is being called here, will not change the state of women in Delhi overnight, it is important to raise a voice, argues Babli Moitra Saraf, Principal, Indraprastha College for Women. "There are some things you can't say often enough. Any movement that highlights the condition of women is important. I would certainly encourage and mobilise our students to support such a movement," she said.

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However, she added: "The name might put off people just like bra burning did. There is a 'cocking a snook' attitude about it."

"These movements will not help protect women. The way they are doing it, it goes against Indian culture. To stop crime against women, if you provoke men, it won't make men feel ashamed," said Bansal. "What we wear and what we do is decided by ancient norms," he added.

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 "Right to freedom can't be license to obscenity. Sponsored intellectuals are coming up with things like these," said Vinay Kumar.

"In gay parade, why were people hiding behind masks? They didn't want to get exposed. They were incited to participate. (It's the) same thing here too. India's youth should not get incited. Public will catch hold of them and beat them up. If police gives permission, they will face consequences," warned Bansal.