DU students, teachers protest outside Delhi Police HQ over women being attacked with semen-filled balloons

Not too long ago, an unidentified DU student spoke up about her experience where she was hit with a “semen-filled balloon of sorts”. As Doubting Thomases continue lash out on social media about her credibility, another young woman has shared a similar experience.

This time, the girl is a student of Jesus and Mary college. Speaking to India Today, she said:

“Few days back, I was commuting in public transport, heading home. The bus halted for few seconds at a location near Sagarpur. I was suddenly hit with a balloon on my chest and the contents started to dry out, forming white patches.”

“I was disgusted. I soon realised it was not water or mud but shockingly, semen. Sadly, an old woman sitting across my seat cracked a joke saying, Bura na Mano holi hai”.

In the light of the incident, students and teacher of Jesus and Mary College took out a protest at the Delhi Police Headquarters in ITO today morning.

Approximately 30 female students congregated at the PHQ demanding action against the unknown people who threw the balloons.

Protestors held placards that said, “apprehend culprit throwing semen-filled balloons on student” and “make Holi safe for women”.

Speaking to India Today, a teacher briefing the student protestors, said, the miscreants cannot be permitted to get away with such behaviour.

“Public is not reacting like it should. These girls are vulnerable and so they have come forth demanding action. We are giving a memorandum to the Delhi Police demanding adequate better policing and patrolling,” said Dr. Saumya Verghese, History professor at Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University.

A student holding a placard said, “The girl was not from our college but this is in solidarity. We are often told Bura na maano Holi hai (Don’t mind, it’s the festival Holi). But we do get bothered and we will not accept it. We are protesting so action taken against such men.”

A delegation of teachers and students met senior officers at PHQ and submitted a memorandum with suggestions and demanding action.

The college delegation that met Delhi police officers were told, “All our police force has been told already that anyone throwing balloons on strangers cannot be accepted. A circular already issued. All complaints taken seriously. However, boys these days are using many liquids like jelly. This may or may not be semen. We will take appropriate action.”

The girl’s Facebook post about the incident has gone viral. Here is the original text:

“So the festival of ‘fun’ is here! Time for colours, eggs, dirty water and oh how can I forget the most important one- SEMEN.

It was just another usual day of travelling back home from college..

The bus stopped a little after Sagarpur bus stop. And that’s when it happened.

Before I even realised it, a guy threw a balloon filled with semen straight at my chest. For a few minutes I was just shocked and by the time I recovered from it, he and his friends were gone. I was DISGUSTED and really furious. And that’s when a lady sitting in front of me said, “Beta, Bura mat mano holi hai” And the others in the bus laughed and said the same to me. I didn’t know whom to be more disgusted on- the idiot who threw it or the crowd who normalised it.

Till yesterday, I had just heard about semen throwing at girls and my heart was broken to hear it.

Today I was the victim to it and that was when I wholly realized and understood the absolute depravity of human beings.

I would have said humans behave like animals but then that’s a disgrace to animals in itself.

Yesterday, it was a girl from LSR, Today it was me, and there are plenty of girls with whom this is happening, who are just too afraid or embarrassed to speak up. And I don’t blame them but then if we don’t speak up now, these fools roaming around our country will continue doing the same and God forbid another innocent girl might get targetted.

And to all the girls out there,

Do not be afraid to speak up when such things happen to you. Your dignity and self Respect is important and not something to be fooled around with.

Be bold and take a stand, rest assured there are many like me who will have your back.”