Banner Urges Pune Women To 'Dress Modestly'; See Their Feisty Reply

Moral policing in India, especially on women's fashion choices, continues to spark controversies and discussions about freedom of choice and gender equality. Recently, an X user shared a photo capturing a unique and creative response to one such instance in Pune, where women fiercely opposed a banner urging them to 'dress modestly.' The photo was shared by X user Yogesh Sadhwani. The banner read in Marathi, "Ladies, wear such clothes that no one would look at them with an evil eye. Courtesy, Mast (Marathi for cool) Group." 

Women Hit Back With Savage Response

While the poster attempted to dictate women's choices under the guise of protecting them from ill-intentioned gazes, the women of Pune did not take it lightly. They responded with a poster, pasted right below the original banner, that read, "Men, keep your mind so clean that no matter what clothes someone wears, your eyes should not fall. Courtesy, Trast (Marathi for distressed) Group."

This is at a walking track in Deccan, Pune. Immediately after the poster asking women to dress appropriately was put by ‘Mast group’, women responded. pic.twitter.com/vlUzmJpwaO

— Yogesh Sadhwani (@yogeshsadhwani) July 3, 2024

The banner asking women to dress modestly was put up at a walking track in the Deccan area of Pune. The 'Mast Group also used a photo of Padma Shri awardee social worker Sindhutai Sapkal next to the message. It must be noted that there is no record of her saying these lines or anything that suggests the same. Netizens pointed out that her photo and name were added simply for 'weightage'.

Another photo of the same posters was shared by an X user named Sushma Date. The posts have garnered a lot of attention on social media with many lauding the women's group for their apt response. Many netizens called out the sexist intention behind the original banner and opened discussions on societal attitudes towards women's choices. Some also shared similar instances of moral policing that they have faced in India.

Here are some of the responses:

This poster was put up on Hirwaee track a few days back and is now at Kamala Nehru Park in Deccan Gymkhana - basically telling women to dress appropriately to avoid ogling by men. I am beyond outraged 😠

A group of young women counter postered it with a sarcastic reply which is… pic.twitter.com/7DJ5FuDzGQ

— sushma date (@sushmadate) July 3, 2024

Sick burn, Pune women group. That poster was just begging to be roasted. "Dress modestly" - like that's not just a euphemism for "you're a dude and you don't know how to respect boundaries". Good on them for calling it out.

— Benjamin Lockheart (@BlockHeartBen) July 4, 2024

Once the senior citizen gang of my society stopped me while I was doing my evening walk and one of the comparatively less older uncles told me to not wear shorts because we have so many seniors here around here in the evening.

And I answered him that you are also wearing shorts…

— Sneha Sharma (@thesneha_) July 3, 2024

Not sure if Sindhutai really spoke this quote but 'please dress decently' is definitely a ridiculous request.

— 🔪🍉🍽️ (@AmolKu1karni) July 3, 2024

I am offended on two levels;
First, some folks thought that the ladies reply was written by me, which shocks me because the text has no grammatical mistakes (typos are my trademark) & secondly, it’s incognito, something I would never do.
Masta group, please be bold enough to put… https://t.co/HW0sdPO5CP

— Shilpa Godbole (@godbole_shilpa) July 4, 2024