28 Menstruating Women From Delhi NGO Cook ‘Period Feast’, Feed Deputy CM & 300 Attendees

A while back, 68 students of Shri Sahjanand Girls’ Institute (SSGI) in Bhuj alleged that they were asked to prove that they are not menstruating after the hostel warden complained that two girls on their period had entered the kitchen.

This incident brought to light the fact that the school was run by followers of Swami Krushnaswarup Dasji who claims that spiritual texts have outlined, “A menstruating woman who cooks food for her husband will certainly be reborn as a ‘kutri’ (bitch).”

According to The Times of India, to end this menstrual stigma of the kitchen, a Delhi-based NGO named ‘Sachhi Saheli’ organized a ‘Period Feast’ or ‘Mahavari Mahabhoj’ on February 23 where 28 menstruating women cooked and served food to over 300 attendees.

#periodfeast begins. we are happy to see women standing for their Dignity. Sharing some glimpse of #mahavaribhoj preparations. #menstruation #pushthestigmaaway #महावरी_भोज. Lets eliminate this #myth together. pic.twitter.com/8xq564s4uc

— Sachhi Saheli (@SachhiSaheli) February 23, 2020

Delhi: Sachhi Saheli, an NGO organised a 'Period Feast' yesterday in Mayur Vihar area. The food was prepared & served during the feast by 28 menstruating women. More than 300 people from all walks of life, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, participated in the feast. pic.twitter.com/Naek3wpQxI

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2020

NDTV quoted gynaecologist and founder of the NGO Dr. Surbhi Singh saying,

“It is a lunch event to uphold women’s menstrual dignity. It is a statement against the dogmatic traditions related to menstruation and a symbolic protest against the negativity propagated by the priest from the Swaminarayan Bhuj Mandir in Gujarat.”

Its was an honour for us to have @msisodia With us for #periodfeast. Thankyou sir for gracing #महावरी_भोज with your presence. #mahavaribhoj #menstruation #pushthestigmaaway #महावरी_भोज #myth pic.twitter.com/LgOYfVRvrS

— Sachhi Saheli (@SachhiSaheli) February 23, 2020

The women wore aprons that said “I am a proud menstruating woman” and a street play was also performed to dispel superstitions associated with periods. The guest of honour, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was quoted saying,

“In today’s scientific day and age, there is nothing pure or impure about menstruation, it is a natural biological process that should be taken as it is.”

माहवारी महाभोज period feast an initiative to celebrate women menstural dignity is a tight slap on those who think this to be a curse to womanhood. special thanks to @msisodia Sir & Team for being the guest of honour.Great job done by Dr. @drsurbhisingh22 for raising voice . pic.twitter.com/pnDYMVjTQJ

— Satvinder Singh (@satvinder989023) February 23, 2020

This was an extremely interesting afternoon. Period feast organised by @SachhiSaheli with an amazing street play by Asmita group and fresh food prepared by women proudly sporting an apron which announced that they were menstruating. Kudos. ? pic.twitter.com/2w5H685FZ9

— Tanzila Anis. (@aaliznat) February 23, 2020

Earlier, to counter Swamiji’s counsel and put a hilarious spin to his comment, pet owners also shared photos of their female dogs (happy kutris) saying that they are reincarnations of ‘disgraced’ or ‘fallen’ women.

Cover Image Source – left, right