Holi, celebrated with vibrant colours and joviality, often veils a grim reality for women in India. Amidst the festivities, public spaces transform into breeding grounds for harassment and exploitation, perpetrated under the guise of tradition. Men employ the ominous phrase ‘Bura na mano, Holi hai’ to excuse their lecherous behaviour, subjecting women to unwanted advances and assault.
Shockingly, objections are met with victim-blaming rhetoric, suggesting women confine themselves to avoid harassment. This systemic disregard for consent and autonomy perpetuates a culture where women’s bodies become public property, stripped of agency. In the name of tradition, Holi becomes a harrowing ordeal for countless women, their dignity trampled amidst the revelry.
In a harrowing incident that occurred in Manikarnika Ghat in Uttar Pradesh, a woman in a saree was seen being harassed by a mob of men who thought that it was appropriate to throw water on her against her consent just because it was Holi. The woman was accompanied by another man, who was trying hard to protect his friend, but he was clearly outnumbered and getting verbally or physically violent would only compromise on their safety.
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media:
Shameless display of filthy minded men. They think if they are in a group they can take any chance to molest women. Verbally or otherwise. Holi is just yet another excuse. pic.twitter.com/7h0EiPvu2v
— Sangita (@Sanginamby) March 27, 2024
Several people online condemned the incident and advocated for the rights of women to be able to celebrate Holi safely, without having anyone violate their private space or their bodies. Here’s what people have been saying:
We deserve to be hated until we change ourselves. This is unpardonable behavior, and that too happening in broad daylight at one of our holiest sites. Sad thing is none of them will face any consequences as nobody is 'offended' by this. https://t.co/deEExaVVLW
— Arjun* (@mxtaverse) March 28, 2024
Perverted dehat hooliganism at display at most holy site of Hindus. Bhabhi objectification culture has been normalized in this northern dehat belt and they use Holi as an excuse to unleash their perversion. https://t.co/iaEEKjB3J3
— Pagan-Wing (@Times4India) March 28, 2024
we gets angry when west mocking us
and on the other end we have to see these sorts of moronic things.The bigots deserves severe punishment. https://t.co/GiRCaJp0nO
— ? (@deeptantalizing) March 28, 2024
these are the 'average' folks in this nation.
keep in mind that sexual frustration poses a significant challenge to our society, leading ordinary individuals to engage in corrupt behaviors and rationalize indecent actions. https://t.co/pxxRRfN1HU
— qinshu (@_qinshu_) March 28, 2024
The level of fear women in India live with is insane.. not a day goes by where we can just breathe in public places without feeling uncomfortable or getting straight harassed https://t.co/abAUdw4yGf
— m ? (@luco_zain) March 28, 2024
This is no Holi. This is mocking & harrasment .It's the Mob mentality on display. These people are cowards. I found the couple quite brave. These are urchins, gundaas & rogues. https://t.co/X2Fv8FWZYs
— Avinder Singh Kapoor (@as_kapoor) March 28, 2024
When your priorities are wrong, so will the outcome. Rather than harassing honest taxpayers, the government should instead put their efforts into civilizing these uncouths, even at the expense of force. https://t.co/RD5nWEujTT
— AC (@HinduSanskriti0) March 28, 2024
With video recordings & surveillance everywhere in a country of crumbling infra why r we not identifying such clowns n sending them to do hard labour https://t.co/qUHm93geVD
— Red Dawn✯⚘️ (@1917cccprev) March 28, 2024
Look at the place and the plight the couple is facing. And we claim to be the country who worships women. Absolutely shameful and I am 100% sure there won't be any person in the group who would be arrested. These people bring shame to our religion, culture, country https://t.co/61QHdGZ8Oe
— Kanik (@tagmatkarbsdk) March 28, 2024
Holi is a respected festival, yet some lowlifes are diminishing its significance with their disgraceful actions. This is utterly unacceptable. https://t.co/URztm7ttOS
— Danny (@Deceitful_Danny) March 28, 2024
Every woman deserves to celebrate Holi without fear or distress, enjoying the festival’s spirit of joy. It’s imperative to recognize that women have an inherent right to partake in festivities safely, free from the threat of harassment or exploitation. No cultural tradition should serve as a justification for violating a woman’s autonomy or dignity.