You would think that at least people living in the metropolitan cities of our country would be progressive enough to make public places safer for women. But even in 2020, that’s isn’t the case.
Samyuktha Hegde, an actress who has worked in South-Indian films, was recently assaulted by a woman in Bangalore and harassed by the male locals for wearing sportswear and working out in a park.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Samyuktha was with three other friends at Agara Lake and were practising hula-hooping. It was then when they were “attacked” by an elderly woman.
“It so happened that we were three girls working out and doing hula-hoops when an elderly woman came and attacked us. She said we are doing cabaret dancing and even hit one of my friends,” she said.
She claimed that the woman accused her and her friends of “indecent behaviour” and “stripping in the public”. She took to Instagram to post videos of the incident which captures the accused woman attacking one of them.
“People in the park who knew her started supporting her and playing moral police and asking us if it is our culture to wear sportswear,” Samyuktha wrote.
She also alleged a man threatened to defame them while the police just stood and watched.
“In my line of work even false news is enough to destroy my career and he threatened me exactly of that and the police stood there and just watched,” she wrote.
Have a look at the videos and read her full post here:
As her post went viral, massive outrage broke out on social media and people online lent their support to her. Many called the incident “unacceptable” and “terrifying” for women.
What happened to Samyuktha Hegde is absolutely terrifying. If they could do that to a public figure the rest of us have no hope.
— no (@anooosher) September 4, 2020
When will this view of seeing will change in our country..!!??@KavithaReddy16 if wearing a sports bra and practicing sport in public is an offense, then all the athelete women should wear saree and skirt.!!#thisisWRONG https://t.co/e8WxJXJHPz
— Gopi Shankar (@GopiShankarT) September 5, 2020
This lady @KavithaReddy16 really need to learn some manners, that's a workout and u don't have a right to call anyone a slut, at least behave like a decent citizen it's bcoz of women like you that those men with fucking mentality do such atrocities. @SamyukthaHegde well done! https://t.co/mDar9xi0dG
— Ritika Tandon (@_RitikaTandon_) September 5, 2020
Shameful @KavithaReddy16 you can not hit just for the clothes she is wearing educated people like this is shame on society 😑 https://t.co/ZnXZOw52i2
— Harshleen Suri (@HarshleenSuri) September 5, 2020
Disgusting!🤬
This is the country where the women's sports wear is considered as the pornography!🤐
Be brave and bold lady💪
We stand with you @SamyukthaHegde 🔥#ThisIsWrong #SamyukthaHegde https://t.co/AiyKzVFhJa— Vashistar (@Vashi_Star) September 5, 2020
In the name of culture we forget that we are humans. Wonder what's wrong in wearing a sportswear.
Horrible#thisiswrong@SamyukthaHegde More power. https://t.co/BtbvXV6jOc— Sonu Nair (@thesonunair) September 5, 2020
The older generation must mind that the youth is watching, Kavitha Reddy being a women empowerment worker is pushing women down by herself. Why do we even put up with this shit?#justiceforsamyuktha #womenempowerment https://t.co/bhAxPFtsqg
— Samarth Baligar (@BaligarSamarth) September 5, 2020
Look a shame-factor on womanity. Being a woman herself abusing other girls. Maybe her age has taken out some of her mind. Great job @KavithaReddy16 . You gave a real example of shamelessness. That's really shameful. #thisisWRONG https://t.co/bojhOLLWVQ
— Arpit Pachori (@starboy11_) September 5, 2020
I follow @SamyukthaHegde on Insta and came across her live video yesterday when she was being thrashed by the local public and @KavithaReddy16. Huge respect for her for standing up to what is right. The nation needs it, we need it.
More power to you.#thisiswrong https://t.co/Wlm20s0U4l— Tarushi jain (@tarushijain) September 5, 2020
This is sick, disgusting and really disturbing. When will women have the freedom to do what she likes doing?
It hurts more when a women doesn't understand and stand for other women 💔😔@BlrCityPolice @CPBlr #SamyukthaHegde #justiceforsamyuktha #thisiswrong https://t.co/6rGA5xEeZS— Vishakha Agarwal (@vishakha_1707) September 5, 2020
What the hell is wrong with these people it doesn't mean wearing a shot cloths is wrong first change your mindset… #justiceforsamyuktha @SamyukthaHegde https://t.co/1pVBVgP3Rd
— Eshwar_p_budihal (@DancerEshwar) September 5, 2020
What the hell is wrong with these people it doesn't mean wearing a shot cloths is wrong first change your mindset… #justiceforsamyuktha @SamyukthaHegde https://t.co/1pVBVgP3Rd
— Eshwar_p_budihal (@DancerEshwar) September 5, 2020
It is absolutely unacceptable to slut-shame and moral-police women based on what they choose to wear, even more so to assault her for it. What hope do we have for women’s safety in our country when fellow women behave this way?
It’s not the clothes that need changing. It’s the mindset of people.