Yes, it is official, there IS going to be a Slutwalk in Delhi, India! See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/10/new-delhi-slut-walk-sexual-violence-protest-india-_n_874460.html and http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i8tzBRdaDiyZwLLH84xG1R4TlxSA?docId=CNG.4b51b056239693ce4c4888dc9ef63302.1a1 and http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/307789 for the scoop.
In my previous piece Support Your Local Sluts . . . Slutwalks gone Viral now International – Women Reclaiming a Word and an Identity at https://briandavidphillips.net/2011/06/06/slutwalks/, I suggested that I would not be surprised that we might see a slutwalk in a place like India soon . . . although, I am not sure how positive it will be perceived given the history of very aggressive violence against women with more contemporary values we’ve been seeing in a number of places there.
However, it is far more positive to see the rape awareness demonstrations morphing into something sex-positive like slutwalks than to continue to see the polarization occuring (and unfortunate necessity of movements like the Pink Saris and their vigilante justice). See http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-06-14/news/17209801_1_vigilantes-five-children-pink-gang and http://www.indiewire.com/article/pink_saris_tops_sheffield_doc_fests_2010_awards/ for more on Pink Saris.
Honestly, in any right-thinking society (meaning one where most people are not seriously fucked up by this or that ideology so good luck finding one), violence against women should not be permitted and certainly one should never blame the victim of a violent sexual attack . . . just because she dresses in a way that someone else finds provocative is no excuse for another to commit sexual violence. Seriously, even if a woman were to walk naked down the street of a red light district – or on a block with a line of churches – that’s NOT an invitation or an excuse for rape or sexual violence or violence of any kind. Anyone who thinks otherwise is obviously incredibly obtuse (hint, if you think it’s okay to rape or punish women because of attire, I just called you stupid . . . thought I’d need to explain that since you’re obviously an idiot).
In any case, please continue to support the ideas behind the Slutwalks . . . and those of you in India, please help make a positive difference in the lives of women, children, and men.
– Brian
