Woman Enters Crowded Delhi Bus Wearing A Bikini, Social Media Clout Or Empowerment Move?

Passengers on a bus in Delhi were surprised when a woman wearing a bikini entered the crowded vehicle, causing a stir among commuters. A short video capturing the incident quickly gained traction on social media, sparking outrage among viewers.

In the video, recorded by a passenger, the woman in the bikini can be seen boarding the bus and standing near the door. Another female passenger nearby appears uncomfortable and walks away. Subsequently, another passenger chooses to leave his seat and distance himself from the woman.

Is This For Social Media Clout Or Empowerment Move?

After being posted online, the video has garnered thousands of views on the X platform and elicited numerous reactions from online users. While some users expressed disapproval of the woman's clothing choice, others voiced their support. Many users are now pondering the possibility of implementing measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past. Recently, the internet was abuzz with photos and videos of a 19-year-old girl travelling on the Delhi Metro wearing only a bikini and a miniskirt. This girl, identified as Rhythm Chanana and dubbed the 'Delhi Metro Viral Video Girl', faced significant public scrutiny and criticism for her unconventional attire.

The incident gained traction after a Twitter account named 'NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs' shared a video of her seated among other female passengers in a Delhi Metro coach, with a backpack on her lap.

While acknowledging women's right to exercise their attire preferences without constraint, it prompts reflection on whether there is a need to establish boundaries and uphold societal norms in public spaces. Do we need to put a line?

Public Sentiment: Clout Or Empowerment?

I spoke to women and men of different ages to gather insights into their perspectives on the same.

“I do not think this was a move for empowerment. If the person wanted to empower women, they would donate clothes, food, and shelter to the thousands of women, children, and mothers on the roadside of Old Delhi. It was done to create shock value and reach the news headlines of media outlets. I do not think any empowered woman daily while going to work or running errands boards a bus wearing a bikini. It is impractical and makes absolutely zero sense. Even if there is an underlying intention of women empowerment behind this movement it is not going to do any good to the women of India. On the other hand, it will strengthen the tag of "Crazy, Delusional, Attention-seeking, and Unhinged" to women even more, a tag that we women work everyday to get out of,” said 21-year-old Shivani.

Alicia, a 32-year-old journalist said, “Some might do it for attention or fame on social media, while others might see it as a way to challenge norms and feel empowered. These days people do such things intentionally to get fame as this is not the first time everyone has seen such things while travelling in the metro as well. But I think it is not appropriate to do so.”

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“A woman boarding the bus in a bikini is a shameless act and is nothing more than a publicity stunt to grab media attention. Knowing that we belong to a country where women are treated as goddess, we are disrespecting the women who are fighting for women's empowerment. Above all one should know that showing off your body is not a women empowerment move,” said Anu, who is in her late 20’s.

"Look, I get where you're coming from. There's definitely a time and place for certain outfits, you know? Like, you can't just wear a bikini to a temple, that would be totally inappropriate.

And in this case, I think the woman wearing a bikini on a Delhi bus is pretty questionable too. I mean, come on, that's just not the right setting for that kind of attire. It seems like she's doing it more for the attention and social media clout, rather than any sort of empowerment.

Empowerment doesn't come from what you wear - it comes from your mindset, your confidence, your values. Wearing a skimpy bikini on a crowded bus isn't going to empower anyone, in my opinion. It's just going to make people uncomfortable and draw unnecessary scrutiny.

There are appropriate places and times for different kinds of clothing. A bus in Delhi is not really the right venue for a bikini. That's just common sense," said Aman who is in his late 30's.

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Should There Be a Line?

While it's undeniable that women have the right to choose their clothes freely, including wearing bikinis, there are instances where drawing a line is necessary. Even if the woman's intention isn't to seek attention on social media, there exist certain standards of clothing decorum. It could be beneficial to explore guidelines or norms regarding attire in public transportation to guarantee the well-being and safety of all passengers while still upholding individual freedoms. Ultimately, fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding is key to navigating this issue effectively.

Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

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Credits: Freepik