'Slutwalk' movement hits streets of India

A "Slutwalk" to assert women's rights be free of sexual harassment in India drew hundreds in New Delhi, Sunday. Organizers of the march, which began and ended at the Jantar Mantar observatory, estimated the turnout at 700 to 800 and claimed a success, the Hindustan Times reported. Umang Sabarwal, 19, a Delhi University student and organizer, said: "I'm very happy with the response. The event was energetic and clean. ... This is just the beginning. Our aim is to keep this going and create awareness about women's issues." The walk was followed by a street play staged by the Asmita Theater Group, whose director, Arvind Gaur, said, "We want to fight for an equal place for women in this society. We can't change the law, but we can change the society." "Our administration is very weak," he added. "Instead of doing something, they comment that the city is unsafe, girls shouldn't wear short clothes, etc. Only 2 percent [of] people get justice in rape cases." Slutwalks have been staged around the world since a Toronto police officer enraged feminists in February by saying, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."