I am not scared of an attack by moral goons

In just 4 days, scribe's drive to send undies to Sri Ram Sena on V-Day has youth across nation signing up

I am not scared of an attack by moral goons

In just 4 days, scribe's drive to send undies to Sri Ram Sene on V-Day has youth across nation signing up

Nisha Susan, a south Delhi girl, has declared a chaddi war against the moral policing of Sri Ram Sene. And she isn't afraid of retaliation.

"I am aware of the consequences of this campaign. But I really don't care. I am a media professional and have handled such hooligans on several occasions," said the journalist who works with a news website.

Susan's unique Gandhigiri aims at collecting pink underwear from all over India and sending them to the Sene's office in Hubli on February 13, a day before Valentine's Day.u00a0u00a0

The logo of the Pink Chaddi campaign

"The name Pink Chaddi may sound frivolous but I want to remind the supporters of moral police brigades that they are no authority to teach us religious, ethical and cultural codes. A pink chaddi is a metaphor for their disgusting act. And it's common enough for everyone to understand," said Susan, whose blog is defiantly titled A Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women. "Before attacking the pub, the Sri Ram Sene activists invited the local media to record the entire incident.
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They wanted nothing but cheap publicity. And look at the publicity they received. Hitting girls is not a part of Indian culture. The chaddis will remind the Sene men of our culture, which has no place for violence," said she.

While Susan and her friends send out emails garnering support for the drive, the Sene is determined to play spoilsport. "Let them send the chaddis but I will not accept. Their move shows their obscene culture and we are fighting against this very obscenity," said Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Mutalik.

However, it seems for the moment the pink chaddis are winning the war. Susan's campaign, which started on her Facebook blog on February 5, has already attracted 135 followers (till the time of going to print) and may end up collecting at least 3,000 undergarments by the time it ends. The response has been so overwhelming that Susan's team is busy setting up temporary offices in various cities to collect donated underwear.

Mangalore pub attack
File photo

Most of the campaign's supporters are angry and want to teach the moral policing gang a lesson. "If men can booze why can't women? There is no reason why we should accommodate a gang of bullies who will add to our existing problems," said Karishma Upadhyay, a young professional from Mumbai, who has joined the cause.
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Susan wants to turn this anger into a productive force and has decided to continue wielding the sword even after Valentine's Day. "We will meet local law enforcement bodies and politicians to ensure the fairer sex can lead a secure life."

On Valentine's Day, the forum will also start a "Pub Bharo Andolan" under which she is requesting youngsters, especially girls, to throng pubs and send out a defiant message to the Sene. "Even if you are a teetotaler, visit a pub and raise a toast with a glass of fruit juice," said Susan. She is planning to compile photographs of the pub drive and send them to the Sri Ram Sene office.

Pink brigade

If you too want to participate in the crusade, send pink underwear to the Pink Chaddi Campaign, C/O Alternate Law Forum, 122/4 Infantry Road, Opposite Infantry Wedding House, Bangalore 560001 before February 13. You can also support the cause by becoming a member at https://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/

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