Delhi’s ready for the Slut Walk

Despite controversy, 78% Delhiites say that they completely support the Capital’s first-ever SlutWalk, to be held on July 31.

It’s come under fire for being frivolous, accused of making a mockery of a serious matter such as sexual harassment, but two days before Delhi’s first SlutWalk, rechristened Besharmi Morcha, kicks off, the Capital’s youth say — bring it on! According to a survey conducted by HT City among youngsters, 78% think the idea is “cool”, “revolutionary” and will make people “sit up and take notice.” While 21% think of it as a “pointless exercise”, 1% could not say where they stood.

HT Image

On Sunday morning, the walk will start at the Jantar Mantar Road and organisers say everything is good to go. “Initially, people had a lot apprehensions about the name, but this is for a good cause and now we have heavyweight sponsors as well,” says Umang Sabharwal, 19, the organiser of the Delhi Besharmi Morcha.

In Delhi, the name was changed to SlutWalk athaart Besharmi Morcha after activists protested the use of the term ‘slut’. The concept of a SlutWalk started in Toronto, Canada in April this year as a protest against the attitude of blaming rape or sexual harassment on any aspect of a woman’s appearance or wardrobe. It has since been held in a number of cities around the world and more recently, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

“Girls have been treated badly for so long that only a revolution can change society, and this is the first step,” says Kanika Srivastava of Janaki Devi Memorial College. “Girls should not be judged on the basis of what they wear. I support the fight for equality,” says Akshit Sharma of Kirori Mal College.

However, the skeptics aren’t sure if it will make a difference. “I don’t agree with the idea because this is no solution,” says Avni Ajmera of IP University. “Such a walk won’t change the mentality of perverts,” says Dharni Mishra of IP University.

SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha
When: Sunday, July 31
Kicks off at 10.30am from Jantar Mantar Road to Parliament Street and back (for detailed route, see map below)
Participants should assemble in front of Free Church gate before 10.30am
Nearest Metro Station:Rajiv Chowk on the Yellow and Blue Line