They call it a democracy, world’s largest democracy, where you have the rights to be you. But when this so called democracy is tainted by patriarchy and walks on stereotypes, undeclared subjugation of females – what not to wear! Where not to go! it calls for stripping the veils of abidance and walk assertively. If the world calls it slut like, women are ready to make a first move, and call it a slut walk.

The worldwide phenomenon sprouted up this April from Canada where a police officer remarked that women could avoid being raped not dressing like sluts. Its New Delhi edition took off yesterday with a horde of 500 women and men – young, to middle aged, to few oldies along with activists landed on Delhi’s roads, waving a crystal clear message across the country – I would love to be called a slut, if it gives me freedom to walk and dress freely without any fear. Hope perverts are watching us.

Organized by the ‘Besharmi Morcha’, civil society forum working against sexual violence, the movement saw people raising their voice against objectification of women across the world. Unlike its Western editions where women turned up in lingerie, fishnet stockings and short skirts, it was more of a sober event but not a distracted one. Nothing provocative was seen when it comes to dressing. Instead, women chose to wear what they wear usually – T-shirts and kurtas with jeans and salwar kameez with few exceptions. 

T shirts and placards reading slogans like “Who’s shameless? Your eyes and your thoughts”, “My dress is not a yes” and “Walk of no shame” put forth a group of assertive women who will no longer bear being judged on their attires and choices zipping the biased vituperative lips.

Kudos to these women who are standing for a cause, ‘Unrestricted me’ which fashion is quite synonymous with.  

 

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