Delhi 'SlutWalk' to be held on July 31

New Delhi: After many uncertainties and a considerable debate, the Delhi edition of the 'SlutWalk' is finally happening. The organisers have decided to hold the Walk on Sunday, July 31 at 10.30 am. The Walk is scheduled to start from the national capital's hub of all protests, Jantar Mantar Road, and will cover a few landmarks in central Delhi.

'SlutWalk' - also called the 'Besharmi Morcha' to make it more Indian - has triggered many debates on whether such marches are appropriate in India and can change mindsets about women's status in the society. There has been a constant debate among Indian feminists over the lack of an original Indian concept and the need to ape the West when it comes to sexual harassment.

Umang Sabharwal, the brain behind the Delhi edition, defends the contention by saying that the organisers were doing their best to make the movement culture-specific so that it makes more sense to Indians. She says that considering the crime rate against women, the Walk should be able to strike a chord.

Earlier, in an interview to IBNLive, Sabharwal said, "Everyone is expected to wear clothes that they would wear even outside the Walk. In India, you don't have to dress provocatively to invite rape, molestation, eve-teasing. Your existence is more than enough." She says the Walk has already received considerable support from women, many of whom believe that this may be the first step in shifting the blame for crimes against women from victims to the perpetrators.

Bhopal on Sunday witnessed its own version of the 'SlutWalk', which got a lukewarm response. Even with almost 5,000 confirmations on Facebook, very little participation was seen. The Bhopal march, however, was not a part of the Delhi edition, says Mishika, a member of the organising committee of Delhi's Besharmi Morcha.

The route of Delhi SlutWalk:

- Free Church (assemble point)

- YWCA Guest House

- Parliament Street Police Station

- Patel Chowk

- Patel Chowk Metro Station

- Asoka Road

- Jantar Mantar Road

- Free Church

Here's the route map: