Ain’t No Cinderella: Women on Twitter say no to victim blaming, yes to freedom

Women have come together on social media and have been posting photographs challenging everyone who thinks women should stay indoors at night.

By: Anumeha Saxena |
August 8, 2017 6:02 pm

After an IAS officer’s daughter, Varnika Kundu, was allegedly followed and harassed by Haryana BJP state chief’s son, Haryana BJP Deputy President Ramveer Bhatti blamed the woman for being out so late in the night. As a sign of a protest against the ‘skewed societal norms’ and the usual victim blaming which starts after every such incident, women have taken to social media. Challenging the notion that women need to tamed or be careful, instead of teaching men not to rape/ molest/ sexually harass or assault a woman.

Women are posting photographs of themselves roaming out in the night using the hashtag AintNoCindrella.

For those who’re not aware of the case, Varnika Kundu was allegedly stalked by Vikas Barala and one of his friends. Apparently, it was an attempt to kidnap the woman which failed as Varnika recounts her experience saying that she ‘feels lucky for not have been raped’ and murdered, as per reports.

Women, all over India, have come together through the virtual medium of social media and have been posting photographs challenging all those who think women should not venture out at night for their own safety. Taking help of the example of Cindrella, women have quite aptly used the #AintNoCindrella.

Here are some of the tweets.

If u can’t give ur sons an Ethical Upbringing thn plz put a leash & Muzzle on them #VarnikaKundu #ChandigarhStalking #AintNoCinderella

— San (@farooquisana) August 8, 2017

No man can stop me from going out whenever I want. Public spaces for women! #AintNoCinderella pic.twitter.com/jaipo3Dtai

— Nabakalpita Bora (@NabakalpitaB) August 7, 2017

If I’m out at 12am, it DOES NOT mean I’m to be raped, molested, chased. My dignity is my right 24X7 #AintNoCinderella pic.twitter.com/6SN0I5NbSN

— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) August 7, 2017

Hey it’s midnight and I’m “out”!#AintNoCinderella pic.twitter.com/oKFNwtVIz0

— Palak Sharma (@Palaksharmanews) August 7, 2017

Dear regressive India,
I will do as I please, night or day. Don’t ever think you have the right to stop me #AintNoCinderella pic.twitter.com/oHIKgbhoeA

— pooja (@queenpsays) August 7, 2017

Don’t teach me what to wear, what to eat and when to go out.. #AintNoCinderella #ItsMyLife pic.twitter.com/QYWcxQSxm4

— Bose Shruti (@Tinni_Aphrodite) August 7, 2017

#AintNoCinderella The night is rightfully mine and no politician can point fingers at me for stepping out! pic.twitter.com/jkXa5EaOKR

— Sunayana Suresh (@sunayanasuresh) August 7, 2017

Guess what BJP, it’s midnight and I’m outside and this party is rad. You want me to stay home to be safe, your bad. #AintNoCinderella pic.twitter.com/5x7UrDo0Ot

— Poorva Sharma (@PforPoorva) August 7, 2017

#AintNoCinderella
Sun maybe gone… but we are here to rise. 🙂 #DontCurseDarkness pic.twitter.com/20eZCrqKFB

— Samyukta Hornad (@samyuktahornad) August 7, 2017

(Also read: New crime series, The Sinner is ‘insanely wild’, and Twitter is hooked already)

Exactly, the last tweet sums it up quite perfectly: ‘Women are here to rise’.