1 week ago
India’s Besharmi Morcha Challenged Clothing-Based Blame For Assault
Women in India organized marches to protest sexual harassment.
They also challenged the idea that a woman’s clothes cause someone to assault her.
The movement was called SlutWalk in other places.
In India, organizers used the name Besharmi Morcha, meaning Shameless Walk.
The first Indian event took place in Bhopal on 17 July.
A larger march happened in New Delhi on 31 July.
Hundreds of people attended the Delhi protest.
Some women thought they had to wear provocative clothes to join.
Organizers explained that everyone could wear whatever they wanted, because freedom of choice was the point.
SlutWalk reached India with an event in Bhopal on 17 July.
Hundreds gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on 31 July for the most prominent march.
The protest opposed sexual harassment and the belief that women’s clothing causes assault.
Nineteen-year-old Kamala Nehru College student Umang Sabhrawal helped organize the Delhi event.
The Indian march used the name Besharmi Morcha, or Shameless Walk, and more than 17,000 people signed up.
- Who
- Women protesters, organizers including Umang Sabhrawal, and hundreds of marchers.
- What
- A series of Indian marches protesting sexual harassment and the belief that women’s clothing invites assault.
- Where
- Bhopal and Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India.
- When
- The first event was held on 17 July, followed by the prominent Delhi march on 31 July.
- Why
- To oppose sexual harassment, clothing-based victim-blaming, and restrictions on how women dress.
Protest Organizers’ View
Participants’ Concern
Clothing and participation
Protest Organizers’ View
Organizers said the march was intended to show that women should be free to attend in whatever clothing they chose.
Participants’ Concern
Some women initially hesitated because they assumed joining required wearing provocative clothes.
Naming the movement
Protest Organizers’ View
Organizers selected Besharmi Morcha because they believed “besharm” would resonate more widely across India’s class and language divisions.
Participants’ Concern
The original SlutWalk name was retained as the broader international reference, although organizers said “slut” did not carry the same meaning across India.
Key facts
- Indian movement name
- Besharmi Morcha, meaning Shameless Walk
- First event
- Bhopal, 17 July
- Prominent march
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, 31 July
- Delhi attendance
- Hundreds gathered
- Sign-ups
- More than 17,000 people signed up for the Delhi march
- Organizer
- Umang Sabhrawal, a 19-year-old Kamala Nehru College student
- Dress-code message
- Participants could wear whatever they wanted; provocative clothing was not required
Sources
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