Rape culture is a term that highlights how society normalizes or trivializes sexual violence, often by shifting blame onto victims instead of holding perpetrators accountable. One common example of this is criticizing women for the clothes they choose to wear, suggesting that their outfits somehow provoke unwanted attention.
A recent incident from Amity University has sparked a heated debate online. During a fresher’s party, a student took to the stage as part of the “Mr. and Ms. Fresher 2024” programme. Dancing to the popular Bollywood song Dil Dooba, she initially wore an oversized red T-shirt. As the music began, she removed it partially over the head, revealing a glittery green crop top underneath.
This act did not sit well with Shivangi Kashyap, who shared a 30-second clip of the performance on X, criticizing both the student and the university. Kashyap labelled the dance “nudity” and questioned why the student chose to wear the T-shirt in the first place if she intended to take it off.
However, she took things a bit too far when she wrote that the student is the kind of woman others go on “candle marches” for, insinuating that women who dress like her are victims of rape.
Amity University ❎ nudyty industry ✅?
Beti gayi hai Engineering degree lene
Yahi wo ladkya h jinke lye ham candle ? march krte h?
Behan jab tshirt ka koi kaam nhi tha to aai kyu pehan ke ? pic.twitter.com/secTHsUF0z— Shivangi Kashyap (@ShiviKashyapbjp) November 17, 2024
Several people immediately decided to school her on rape culture and slammed her for her take. They highlighted how such reactions, when normalized, stop women from being themselves and curb their freedom. This is a dangerous take to have. Here’s how some of them responded:
Nudity? She is more covered up in clothes than the average Saree wearing woman. I’m actually aghast at these reactions. Even 20 years back we weren’t this regressive. https://t.co/YmDB7baLVX
— Sunny ?? ?? (@Onestlybrutal) November 17, 2024
This could not get any lower.. this comparison of clothes and cases of rape.
I am sure, this girl @ShiviKashyapbjp has never been seen and will never be seen at any candle march for any victim. But, would definitely be seen peeking into the clothes worn by college students. https://t.co/GnI73mtvmK
— चल चले چل چلیں Chal Chale (@Av_A_Ni) November 17, 2024
Imagine looking at a dance performance and the only thing you notice is the dancer’s “clothes”……..that speaks volumes about your own mentality. So shut the fuck up and learn how to mind your own business. Leave this regressive mentality behind and try to evolve a little. https://t.co/Fg5KSjUfp4
— av (@alwaysx1ds) November 17, 2024
“Inke liye hum candle march karte hain” like god forbid if a progressive woman gets raped in this country, then they are at the mercy of these medieval mentality morons who would first check the woman’s character and then decide if that rape is worth protesting against. https://t.co/TYx9O27Gf1
— Catty (@CatWomaniya) November 18, 2024
What’s more pathetic and disappointing than this tweet is that a GIRL herself is tweeting this.
If we ourselves don’t have the basic sensitivity and awareness to respect women, to heck with expecting anything from the rest of the world. https://t.co/pgZigJ5UJN
— M A L L I K A ? (@mallikaaaax) November 18, 2024
This is a tweet coming from a woman about another young college going girl- for just dancing and existing.
Beta , this is far from what you call nudity.
May this girl @ShiviKashyapbjp gain some brains ! https://t.co/5TInqD0ItL— Swati K. (@mynameswatik) November 18, 2024
Are you serious? Nudity? Waist revealing tops were in fashion even when I was in engineering college (and that was more than 20 years ago LOL!). And I don’t find anything wrong with her dance. She is a good dancer and chose a banger of a song for her performance. Kya dikkat hai! https://t.co/fwTxnDc8Af
— Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) November 18, 2024
Women’s bodies have always been a battle ground of morality , to be controlled by misogynistic ideologies. Case in point – this is a lady shaming a young female student- who by the way got real rhythm!
Moral of the story : Nudity lies in the eyes of the beholder. https://t.co/kOX60Lvc7z— Nidhie Sharma (@IamNidhieSharma) November 19, 2024
y’all are filthy women who assume that women who dance deserve to get raped cause they’re wearing a certain attire. shame on your existence. candle marches happen cause of evil men men. no matter what she wears, no one has the right to touch her without her permission. doob maro https://t.co/UwEqIbGWNU
— shinchan ?? (@shinchan_asc) November 18, 2024
This incident is a reminder that change is still needed, and respect for autonomy should be at the forefront.