X

Does Hindu College’s worship of Damdami Mai on V-Day promote rape culture?

Every Valentine’s Day, Delhi University’s Hindu College hosts a ‘Damdami Mai’ puja around its famous Virgin Tree, where students pray to lose their virginities. Pinjra Tod, a group which protests discriminative rules in women’s hostels, challenged the “misogynistic” tradition which has continued for decades.

According to Pinjra Tod, the ritual “promotes rape culture,” but Hinduites argue that it actually spreads AIDS awareness. So, is it time to do away with this famous tradition?