City girls say they would not mind wearing low necklines today to support worldwide protests against Tehran cleric who blames scantily clad women for causing earthquakes. Priyanjali Ghose reports
Bangalore girls say they would not mind wearing low necklines today to support worldwide protests against Tehran cleric who blames scantily clad women for causing earthquakes. Priyanjali Ghose reportsBoobquake, an American student's online worldwide campaign on Monday against an Iranian cleric's comment that immodestly dressed women tantalize men and increase earthquake, evoked mass global online responses and also attracted mixed reactions from Indian activists. Women in Bangalore understandably do not want to left behind.
"Many women who dress inappropriately cause youths to go astray, taint their chastity and incite extramarital sex in society, which increases earthquakes," Ayatollah Kazem Sedighi had said at the last Friday prayer in Tehran.
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| Ayatollah Kazem Sedighi blames dipping necklines for earthquakes. Seen in the pic is actress Celina Jaitley in a red number the good ayatollah would not approve of |
In response to this comment, Jennifer McCreight, a postgraduate student from Purdue University, USA, organised Boobquake, an online campaign on popular social networking websites Facebook and Twitter.
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McCreight has urged women around the world to wear their 'most cleavage-showing shirt' on April 26, to scientifically test the Iranian cleric's claim. At present the campaign has received 47,766 positive responses.
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Websites are also selling t-shirts to support the cause.
"With the power of our scandalous bodies combined, we should surely produce an earthquake. If not, I'm sure Sedighi can come up with a rational explanation for why the ground didn't rumble," wrote McCreight on Face book.
However, in India, there are dissenting voices that do not support this method of protest.
"It is like instead of being careful while cooking, you end up burning the entire house. Islam urges women to cover themselves.
Why do they need to wear inappropriate clothes to protest?" asks Mahmood Dariabadi, general secretary of All India Ulema Council.
"The Iranian cleric could have meant that such immodesty leads to earthquakes in society." Many Indian social activists were however not sure if the campaign would meet with any success.
"Such campaigns hardly help. However, such initiatives do help in underlining how today's women are ready to take on any challenges. They don't bow down to such absurd observations.
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They mock them instead," said Brinda Adige (30), who works for Global Consultants, a city based non-governmental organisation to support women and children rights.
Brinda was one of the organisers of the Pink Chaddi campaign held in Bangalore to protest Mangalore pub attack by Hindu hardliner Parmod Mutalik's supporters and his objection to Valentine's Day celebrations.
"I will definitely wear such a t-shirt tomorrow to show my support," Brinda added. Whereas, Sulakshana K (23), a fashion designer, said, "I don't know how effective it will be but why not do it anyway for the fun of it all?"
| Netizens Speak |
| I endorse #boobquake, both as a male, who appreciates boobs, and as a Pastafarian, who appreciates absurdist activism. Nicko236 Myself and at least two other girls that I know will be attending the Boobquake in Tokyo, Japan. Joani Schaffner I'm going to corset and short skirt tomorrow. Singing bow chicka wa wow. Cassie J Booth |
