It is believed that the students who participate in the ritual will fall in love within the next six months and lose their virginity in the next one year.
Even as the Delhi University (DU) is rocking with protests in the wake of several sexual harassment complaints from students and teachers, Hindu College is set to organise its customary 'Virgin Tree puja' on Valentines Day on Wednesday. However, this time, the fervour of the puja might be marred by an anti-campaign by a section of female students, who call it a "misogynist ritual".
Every year on February 14, Hindu College hostel students worship a Bollywood female actor as Damdami Mai (goddess). Her poster is fixed on the condom-laced Virgin Tree (V-shaped tree ) on the campus. It is believed that the students who participate in the ritual will fall in love within the next six months and lose their virginity in the next one year. This year it is Jacqueline Fernandez's turn.
"This virgin tree celebration is just another trope which objectifies women. The organisers are repeating this act, year after year and passing the baton to their juniors to continue their misogynist and sexist legacy," says Devangana Kalita, member Pinjra Tod, a women's collective against discriminatory rules at campuses and colleges.
Rejecting the argument, the organisers claim that there is nothing "sexist" behind the ritual. "We don't see it as an act of women objectification. It's our college's legacy and condoms are used for AIDS awareness," said Lalit Singh, president of the hosteliers at the campus. "This time, we have also introduced a concept of Love Guru for female students," he said. Actor Ranveer Singh has been selected as the Love Guru for this year's puja. But the female students are far from pleased with this new introduction.
The Hindu College Union members also termed it an "unfortunate ritual", but added that "We have no say in this ritual. It is being organised by the hostel Union, which is independent of the College Union. I personally consider it a very regressive ritual, " said Daniyal Ubaidullah, a union member.
TRADITION
Every year on February 14, Hindu College hostel students worship a Bollywood female actor as Damdami Mai (goddess). Her poster is fixed on the condom-laced Virgin Tree.
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