In the civilisation and cultural traditions of India, women have always held a place of great respect and dignity. Our religious teachings, social values and historical heritage repeatedly emphasise the importance of honouring women as mothers, daughters, sisters and partners in life. Every religion teaches that women must be treated with dignity, care and protection. It is in this spirit that the world observes International Women’s Day—to remind societies of the responsibility to ensure respect, safety and equality for women.
In reality, every day should belong to women because they are the foundation of families and the backbone of society. However, occasions like International Women’s Day give us an opportunity to reflect honestly on an important question: Are women truly receiving the respect, dignity and security that they deserve? Is our society truly safe and supportive for our daughters, sisters and mothers?
Unfortunately, recent incidents compel us to confront an uncomfortable reality. Just a few days ago, the country celebrated the festival of Holi, widely known as the festival of colours and joy. Traditionally, Holi symbolises harmony, happiness and togetherness. However, several disturbing videos circulating on social media have presented a very different and deeply troubling picture. In many of these incidents, young women and girls were harassed, teased and subjected to inappropriate behaviour in the name of playing with colours. In some cases, they were forcefully touched, dragged and humiliated, turning what should have been a joyful celebration into a distressing and frightening experience.
Equally concerning is the fact that some foreign tourists who travelled to India with excitement to experience the vibrant celebrations of Holi also reported instances of harassment and forced participation. Many of them later expressed regret and disappointment, even advising others to be cautious about celebrating the festival in such circumstances. Such incidents not only harm the dignity of women but also tarnish the reputation of our country on the global stage.
What makes the situation more troubling is the silence that often surrounds such behaviour. Some individuals who publicly claim to defend culture, morality and tradition fail to speak out when women are subjected to harassment. At times, these very elements, hiding behind the façade of cultural guardianship, contribute to or ignore acts that degrade the dignity of women. This hypocrisy must be recognised and challenged.
International Women’s Day should therefore not remain limited to symbolic celebrations or speeches. It must become an occasion for collective introspection and action. As a society, we must stand united against those who misuse festivals and public spaces to harass or humiliate women. Festivals are meant to spread happiness, friendship and unity, not fear or humiliation.
Law enforcement agencies must also take strict and visible action against those who commit such acts so that no individual dares to exploit festive occasions to violate the dignity of women. At the same time, society itself must play a decisive role by refusing to tolerate such behaviour and by supporting victims who raise their voices.
A truly progressive and civilised society is one where women feel safe, respected and empowered. If we wish to preserve the honour and cultural values of our nation, we must protect the dignity of our daughters, sisters and mothers at all times. That is the true message of International Women’s Day, and it is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold it.