Bura Na Mano, Holi Hai!!!

I was in Class 9th and we had recently shifted to a new colony and it was our first Holi in this colony. A lot of uncles and aunties were visiting each house and when they came to our place, one of the uncles, under the pretext of Holi, had put his hand under my shirt to put colours. I froze and didn't utter a word to anyone.

Subsequently, during every Holi, I would hide in the bathroom, whenever these groups of uncles and aunties would visit our place for Holi and would not play Holi with them - exams were my excuse, always. A couple of years later, I found out that he was doing the same with the other girls in the colony as well and he was eventually barred from visiting any house.

Over the years, I have had strangers put colours on me, in public spaces, all under the garb of Holi. As a result, I do not go out during that time for a few days.

The intention of sharing this is not to put a dent on the festivities and the fun. Holi is one of my favourite festivals and I still play it every year - but, now, on my own terms. My privilege also allows me to have a safe holi.

However, it is not the same for many women, who have to venture out for work. In the name of festival and celebration, normalisation of invading personal space, touching, defacing and groping has happened. 

It is called playing holi for a reason. Like any game, it has rules and the most basic rule of playing Holi is that you only play with people who want to play.

Holi is around the corner and many offices will be hosting Holi parties. In this edition of #todayinposh, I want to focus on some rules that we can all follow so that everyone can have a safe and fun Holi:

• Respect Boundaries: Always respect colleagues who may not wish to participate in the festivities. Be mindful of their space and preferences. If someone is not comfortable, be it playing with colours, or drinking or dancing, respect their decision. Our fun doesn't mean harassment of others.
• Consent: Always seek consent before applying colours or participating in playful activities. Not everyone may be comfortable with physical interactions during the celebrations.
• Ditch ‘Bura Na Maano Holi Hai’ slogan: Nobody’s got the free pass to do anything just because ‘Bura Na Maano Holi Hai’. Sexual harassment, be it on any day, is unpardonable and unjustified. 
• Respect Work Environment: Remember that it's still a professional setting, even during celebrations. Avoid behaviour that may disrupt work or offend colleagues.

Holi is a beautiful festival and I hope that our spaces, whether it is office or home, are safe for all those who want to play holi, without any fear.