Street drama in western India highlights women’s safety concerns ahead of Janmashtami
by Aditi VermaIn a powerful display of social awareness, a Dahi Handi mandal in western India’s Maharashtra has organized a street drama ahead of Janmashtami 2024, focusing on the critical issue of women’s safety. The performance draws inspiration from recent sexual assault cases in Maharashtra, including the harrowing incident in Belapur.
The incident took place in Mumbai and the video went viral on August 24.
Visuals showed a girl climbing a human pyramid, symbolizing a victim of assault in Maharashtra. A young man plays the role of the assaulter, attempting to abuse the girl, who cries out for help as the crowd stands by, indifferent to her plight.
In the video, the male character menacingly asks, “Who will rescue you from me?” while a voiceover of a woman crying and shouting for help amplifies the tension. As the girl continues to climb the pyramid, representing the challenges faced by women, a man portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj intervenes. He rescues the girl from the assault and reprimands the crowd for their inaction, exclaiming “Shame, shame!” He then declares, “Every girl in Shivaji’s state should be her protector,” emphasizing the need for self-reliance and courage among women in the face of rising crimes.
As the Janmashtami festival approaches, a street drama performed in Mumbai has captured significant attention by addressing the pressing issue of women’s safety in Maharashtra. The drama, organized by a Dahi Handi mandal, takes inspiration from recent reports of crimes against women, notably the alarming case in Belapur, where two girls were sexually abused by a school sweeper.
This impactful street drama, set against the backdrop of the Dahi Handi festival, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for women’s safety in Maharashtra and urges society to take collective responsibility in safeguarding the dignity and rights of women.