There were hordes of placards with hard hitting messages and slogan-shouting at Delhi’s first Slut Walk or Besharmi Morcha. Sunday morning saw hundreds of protesters, of all age groups, marching from Free Church via YWCA and back to Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. Slogans such as “Chhed Chhad par rok lagao” (put an end to eve teasing), were heard. “The march aims to reclaim words like slut and fight against victim blaming,” said Umang Sabharwal, 19, chief organiser of the event.
However, unlike its international editions, the Slut Walk in the Capital, did not see many scantily- dressed women. “This is a message for those men who think women dressed in skimpy clothes invite harassment,” said Rohit Sharma, a 34-year-old supporter. “It’s high time that men change their mentality and stop stereotyping,” said Drishti Goyal of Delhi University.
Foreigners also came in large groups to support the march. “The fact that women are taking to street and men are supporting, is great,” said Melinda Fleischmann, a tourist from Switzerland.
Actor-activist Nafisa Ali, too, raised her voice for women rights at the event.
How Slut Walk came about
The first Slut Walk took place in Toronto, Canada, on April 3, 2011, when a police officer said that to remain safe, “women should avoid dressing like a slut.” The Slut Walk has happened in many countries since then. The first Slut Walk in India, was held earlier this month in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
