#MeToo Movement in India: Sexual-Violence, Casteism and Gender Bias

Abstract

When we think of women exercising their freedom and rights, their confinement to their homes and gender stereotyping emerge as striking instances. However, there is much more than what meets the eye in this regard. Feminism in India witnessed a revolution by the #MeToo (#MT) movement through feminist voices across social media platforms. The so-called offensive aspect of being victimized was challenged when survivor stories started surfacing, thereby laying the path for cohesion. Various movements such as the “Pink Chaddi” against moral policing, the “Slut-Walk” battling blaming of victims, the “Pinjra Tod” targeting sex-based restriction in hotels, and the “Bekhauf Azadi” drive, sparked the #MT movement in India.  This study delves into the aspects of solidarity, gender-based topics, caste and class identities, and the speaker’s positionality. The study also highlights the role of the #MT movement in India in exposing the gory facets and peculiarities of “classist”, “sexist” and “casteist” hierarchies. Our conceptual perusal also exposes the oppressive lives and erasure of Dalit women in the #MT movement and highlights the concealed Brahmanism of the #MT movement.