It’s Holi time!

What’s the one line that comes to everyone’s mind when anyone says Holi?

Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!

Right?

Well, true that! Holi is a festival of colors that brings people closer. Everyone is cheerful and full of excitement. The Holi celebrations take place all over India.

But, there’s one very black and dark side to Holi. It’s eve-teasing or in the desi lingo Lafangagiri!

The number of eve-teasing cases on Holi is very prominent, and its consequence all the more aggravating?

Not-so-surprisingly, the families don’t allow their female members to go out ‘unguarded’ by their men, or women themselves are very scared to step out of ‘safe’ premises.

JWB’s Holi campaign this year, tHANDai Rakh, is directed towards acknowledgment and awareness about the fact that Consent is mandatory.

It’s not okay for men to grope women and color them in the name of the festival and then say Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!

There are many tactics of men through which they tease women that range from whistling, winking to groping and forcefully coloring them.

So, with thANDai Rakh, JWB visited the city’s famous Lassiwala at M.I. Road talked to the men of the town about the same and made them pledge to seek the consent of women.

Campaign Setup

A Kurta was pinned to a board signifying a woman.

The hand shaped block with CONSENT engraved on it, represented a man’s hand.

Men had to take the block, dip it in Holi colors and stamp it on Kurta with CONSENT.

Initially, Komal and I tried interacting with some men at the Lassiwala and were shunned. After many such failed attempts (and the scorching heat), when I was a bit dispirited, Komal said, “This is what we are trying to change, the ignorance of people towards such a grave issue.”

Some time later, a man stopped by and inquired about the campaign. He listened intently, and said, “I know it happens, and it’s sad. What you people are doing is commendable. I consent to seek consent.”

He took the block and stamped it on Kurta.

Next up was, Aman Lalwani. After hearing about our initiative, he was so elated and cheerful about it that he called his friend, Vikas Bhandari, from their car, explained him too, and said, “We are sensible boys. But from now on, we’ll make sure to stop other men from doing so.”

A couple came out of the shop, and curiously looked around. When we talked to them, the wife Kirti Kaushik, shared with us one such incident of eve-teasing, “This is indeed a serious issue. I remember when I was in 12^th,  a boy from our colony gripped me from behind and colored me. I was dumbfounded, and quickly ran back to my place, crying.”

Kirti’s husband Manish also said that not only on Holi but such things happen every day, and they must stop. And then they, along with their little one, stamped the Kurta in support.

While the duo was talking, many people gathered around to listen. Amongst them, was Aditya Sharma. He told us that because of the harassment, nowadays, most people avoid big Holi gatherings.

Hmm, true that.

Then there was Suresh Kumar, who thought that something amusing was going on, so he too came in. But, when we told them about the campaign, he walked off by saying, “I am coming in 2 minutes, Madam.”

We are still waiting for you, Sirji!

Komal and I were discussing the fact that most men who came were young, probably under the age of 35. I proclaimed, “I guess, our generation is more open to things and acknowledge such problems.”

And it looked, as if they (the older ones) heard me. The owner of Lassiwala, Mr. Rakesh Saini, and another passerby Hemant Srivastava came as the representatives of the elder clan and proved me wrong. Hemant said, “We want to make sure that our daughters and other women of the family are safe. Everyone’s mood gets spoilt if something like this happens. That is why we accompany them. But yes, what you are saying is right, too. Women should not be scared. It’s the men who do such shameful acts must be fearful.”

But then he added, “Thoda time toh lagega sabki soch badalne me, haina?”

We nodded. It’s gratifying to see that the mindset is changing for better.

Next to join us was Sohail Khan. He said, “I am sorry I was eavesdropping. I don’t play Holi, but still I understand the importance of consent.”

Neeraj and Pushpendra Sharma were enjoying their Lassi when we interrupted them. They were confused, but still they agreed. When we gave them the block, they exclaimed, “We have to do it on a girl?”

We all laughed and showed them the Kurta on which they had to stamp it. They sighed with relief.

A girl came running at the shop for ordering. We noticed her covered in Holi gulaal.

We introduced ourselves to her and about our campaign. She said, “I am Shreya, and this is my brother Nitin. It is so true. I have not experienced it but I know so many of my friends and cousins who have been a victim of eve-teasing.”

“Along with my brother, I would also like to stamp it. It’s to convey Only if I consent and Yes is a Yes and No is a No.”

Well said!

Sanchit also came forward and stamped the Kurta to show his support.

Later, we celebrated the success of our campaign with chilled Lassi.

Ohh! It was delicious, and Sanchit decided to have one more. Komal said, “Thand Rakh!” *hand gesturing* LOL!