The other day, I was having a conversation with someone who claimed that women and men both have the same amount of disadvantages in India. Considering our society is largely patriarchal, I would beg to differ. And if pre-existing knowledge isn’t proof enough, a Kerala court essentially said that if a woman is wearing revealing clothing, it is okay for her to be sexually harassed. Naturally, this angered many and Twitter has been set ablaze due to these absurd, sexist remarks.
A district sessions court in Kerala stated on Wednesday, August 17, that a woman’s wearing a sexually suggestive attire does not automatically constitute sexual harassment, which infuriated online users. In response to the court’s comment, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal referred to it as the “mindset that blames the victim for sexual abuse.” In a tweet in Hindi, Maliwal spoke about the statement asking when the mentality of blaming the victim for being sexually abused will change. She further said that the Kerala High Court must look over the matter.
केरल के कोर्ट के मुताबिक़ योन उत्पीड़न की शिकायत मान्य नहीं होगी यदि लड़की के कपड़े ‘उतेजित’ करने वाले या Sexually Provocative होंगे!
यौन शोषण के लिए पीड़िता को ही ज़िम्मेदार ठहराने वाली मानसिकता कब बदलेगी? केरल उच्च न्यायालय को तुरंत इसका संज्ञान लेना चाहिए।
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) August 17, 2022
And much like Maliwal, many people on Twitter have been talking about the extremely problematic statement which will put so many women in jeopardy throughout the country. Check out some of these tweets:
In the week of India's 75th independence day, a Dalit boy was beaten to death because he drank water from a Savarna's pot, the rapists of Bilkis Bano were set free & garlanded & the court said it's not sexual harassment if the victim was wearing "sexually provocative clothing"
— Sankul Sonawane (@Sankul333) August 17, 2022
What ????
So, if a woman wears a sexually provocative dress, she can be abused !!
And the abuser can walk free ???What's happening to these courts??? pic.twitter.com/0lXBAcxe1j
— Rejimon Kuttappan (@rejitweets) August 17, 2022
WTF! Now Judges will decide if the dress is sexually provocative or not? Such Judges are the reason why Indian Judiciary has completely rotten.
And look at the irony: Kozhikode is in Kerala, the so called most literate State.
Sick! pic.twitter.com/LOuoogvykQ
— Eray Mridula Cather (@ErayCr) August 17, 2022
India @ 75, 1st week:
1) Dalit Boy beaten to death for drinking water from UC's pot.
2) Convicted rapists of a pregnant woman are set free.
3) No sexual harassment when woman wears "sexually provocative dress" as per court order.#AmritKaal much?— Nilalohit Mishra (@mishraji_online) August 17, 2022
You got to be kidding me! 😡 #kerala #court #WomensRightshttps://t.co/IZG5j5onmQ
— Damayantee Dhar (@damayanteedhar) August 18, 2022
Also Read: DCW Head Seeks FIR Against Mukesh Khanna For His ‘Dhandha’ Remarks On Women
What is exactly a “sexually provocative dress” ? #justasking
— Ridzsups (@ridzsups) August 17, 2022
https://t.co/KFoG2NPZYP
Disappointed. Again.— Nobody cares. (@mess_with_bless) August 18, 2022
Gems of Indian Judiciary.
“Sexual assault case doesn’t stand if victim was wearing provocative dress”: Kerala court before granting bail to accused.
— Arun Pudur (@arunpudur) August 17, 2022
Kerala Sessions Court gave bail to Kerala Activist Chandran in Sexual Harassment Case.
Observation by MiLord:"It could have been Provocative(short)Dress that could have provoked Accused"
उच्च विचार।
I just love Bharat's MiLords. Don't need to watch"Mr Beans"for Entertainment.
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) August 17, 2022
Wtaf? What’s a sexually provocative dress? This coming from Kerala 🤬 misogynistic judiciary! Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/uNwGKN5bGO
— Sri Krishna 🌈 (@srikri_a) August 17, 2022
Just yesterday 10 rapists were set free in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. Today a judge in Kerala High Court says, "provocative clothes" of women can be sited to nullify sexual harassment complaint.
Shall we ask again, Azadi for whom??
— Dipsita (@DharDipsita) August 17, 2022
When Civic Chandran meets Criminal Court, the Court becomes uncivic. Where does section 354 IPC exempt the accused because the victim wore ‘sexually provocative’ clothes? Gosh, can courts stop victim-shaming, please! 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/g1TOzrGHKn
— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) August 17, 2022
@RealSIFF fully stands with 74 yr old Kerala activist #CivicChandran, who was allegedly implicated in a false sexual harassment.
Pl tweet #IstandwithCivicChandran in big numbers.
The Sessions court gave him bail. Feminists want him to stay in jail.
Hell with #BelieveAllWomen! pic.twitter.com/f0gnivmBWz
— Save Indian Family Foundation (@realsiff) August 17, 2022
“ if provocative dress is work then no case of sexual harassment” says a court in Kerala – nothing changes .. u have to dress right , speak right … behave right .. or you are to be blamed in case u harassed .. always the same story ..
— pallavi ghosh (@_pallavighosh) August 17, 2022
Hijab is unacceptable
Sexually provocative dress is also unacceptable.
Let’s do one thing.
Make all men wear blindfolds and wooden underwear.
At least women can live without the fear of being molested. https://t.co/UmWiekVPWY— Grouchy Maxx (@softgrowl) August 17, 2022
What’s this?
“Sexual assault case doesn’t stand if victim was wearing provocative dress”: Kerala court granting bail to accused
Who decides what’s provocative?
Can a baby be r@ped becoz it’s naked?
Pls ACT on this great judge @KirenRijiju @indSupremeCourt @NCWIndia pic.twitter.com/E7c2erzaFI
— PallaviCT (@pallavict) August 17, 2022
Come on guys,anyone knows sarees are the sexiest attire.Bare mid riff, shapely blouses ,hips accentuated by the draping. So will they ban the saree? So is a lehenga choli. Pl tell us what we can wear that's not "sexually provocative" coz no one wears bikini to work!#GhunghatLaw
— Geeta Madhavan (@TruthNo_7) August 17, 2022
Some bizarre statements of Indian judiciary:
– Father has a duty to give expenses of daughter’s marriage, even though she is earning (Delhi HC)
– If a woman is wearing sexually provocative dress, then it is not sexual assault (Kerala Sessions Court)Where are we heading?!
— Harshil Mehta (હર્ષિલ મહેતા) (@MehHarshil) August 18, 2022
Sexual Harassment Charge Won't Stand If Woman Was Wearing Sexually Provocative Dress: Kerala Court!!!
I am speechless by this decision by Kerala Court. What are you saying?? https://t.co/JeKfuWRPs7https://t.co/JeKfuWRPs7— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) August 17, 2022
Also Read: Kerala Court Just Observed Sexual Harassment Charges Won’t Stand If Woman’s Wearing “Sexually Provocative Dress.” We Object!
https://twitter.com/socialgreek1/status/1559851616303337474?s=20&t=OkyjhC12WWvoHXlrWlSJ-Q
https://twitter.com/aadindesi/status/1560101266415443968?s=20&t=OkyjhC12WWvoHXlrWlSJ-Q
Not only Twitter but the problem statement was criticised by the Kerala Women’s Commission. Kerala Women’s Commission Chairperson P Satheedevi expressed her concerns over the court’s views and called them “unfortunate,”. She added that by saying such things before the evidence is provided and the trial is held, the court is essentially discounting the claims made by the complainant. She claimed that in extreme cases like rape, this can send a wrong message. These observations were made while granting bail in the second sexual harassment allegation brought against him.
Featured Image Credits: First Post
