Holi 2019: How to NOT sexually harass women on pretext of playing Holi
Holi is a festival of colours, joy and happiness; at least that’s what we learnt from the stories our elders told us about this festival. Holi was meant to be all about love and harmony; people smearing colours on each other’s face, forgetting the grudges they carry about each other and spending the day in utmost bliss. But, since when did Holi became just an excuse for men to sexually harass women? Does smearing colours always require you to touch women inappropriately and that too without their permission? The scenarios now have degraded to such an extent that women dread to step out of the safety of their four walls on the day of Holi, thanks to some opportunistic men. But here we are, all to help those men and teach them how to not sexually harass women on Holi.
Do not throw colour on a woman you don’t know
It’s okay that you’re excited to play Holi, but that doesn’t require you to go on smearing colours on people (especially women) you don’t know. Stay within your limits and respect women. Holi is no excuse for you to go wild and do whatever you like.
Ditch ‘Bura Na Maano Holi Hai’ slogan
No, nobody’s got the free pass to do anything just because ‘Bura Na Maano Holi Hai’. Sexual harassment, be it on any day, is unpardonable and unjustified. A mere festival cannot justify the inappropriate behaviour of hooligans towards anyone.
No means no
How difficult it is to understand that when a person says ‘no’ it actually means no and not ‘maybe’ or ‘yes’. A girl who is not even remotely related to you, is off-limits. Just bury it deep in your mind that playing Holi with complete strangers is not the concept. Be within your boundaries and enjoy the festival responsibly.
Stay indoors
If following the above-mentioned steps is too hard and impossible for you, forget what you read and stay indoors instead. People who can’t respect women are required to stay indoors especially on Holi. Us women don’t want to be extra-cautious while walking on the roads on Holi. The festival is as much mine as it is yours.
