Kolkata The eastern metropolis resonated with slogans of "Jaa porechi, besh korechi I don't care what people think of my dressing sense " as over a hundred women, men and children, including foreign nationals, took to the streets as part of the Kolkata Slutwalk to protest against any form of sexual harassment.
Eschewing any particular dress code, a procession of about people -- school and college students, teachers, office goers, slum dwellers and social workers from the US -- artistically covered in body-art and donning a variety of dresses from saris to shorts, began the march from Jadavpur University in the evening amidst slogan shouting.
Kolkata jumped onto the slut-walk bandwagon this week. Explaining her agenda, Biswas said: "Sexual harassment has got nothing to do with the clothes one wears or with gender. We are also against victim blaming".
We intend to use our bodies as canvasses, and distribute pamphlets on the way to the citizens, and express ourselves through slogans. Since it is gender inclusive, there will be members from the transgender community as well". The walk saw lots of men who have been victims of sexual harassment in the city. Soumek Chowdhry, one of the victims, an aspiring actor and Salsa dancer, said: "This is one small step, hopefully it will make an impact,if not an immediate change".
Kolkata needs awareness", said Priyardishini, an Mphil student at the Jadavpur University. A faculty member at the varsity's English department, Rimi B. Chatterjee supported the cause, saying: "What remains hidden needs to come out now. We need to take a stand and not shy away from these issues". A Polish participant pitched in: "I am labeled as a slut because I am white. I needed to do this".
