A mass sexual harassment incident broke out during the traditional "Food Offering Festival" parade recently held in Hyderabad, southern India, due to overwhelming crowds, sparking nationwide outrage.
The police subsequently arrested a total of 478 people, including 92 minors, but in the end only one person was convicted, with a penalty amount of just 1,050 rupees (about RM5.30). Some Indian netizens mocked on platform X, “The cost of assaulting a woman is only RM5, that’s cheaper than a cup of milk tea?”
Blessing Festival Turns into “Day of Terror”
What was supposed to be a festive and prayerful atmosphere turned dark during the parade. According to video footage at the scene, some women in the crowded group were forcibly hugged by strangers, had their sensitive parts groped, and some women were even surrounded, pushed and pressed up against by groups of young men.
According to comprehensive Indian reports, one victim emotionally told the media during an interview: “It was like being thrown into a pack of wolves, hands came at me from all directions, and nobody responded to my calls for help.”
The police launched an investigation afterwards and arrested a total of 478 people, including 386 adults and 92 minors, the youngest being only 13 years old.
The police said these individuals were suspected of offenses such as molestation and sexual harassment at the festival, but in the end only one person was formally convicted and fined 1,050 rupees. The others were either released with a warning or included in minor prosecution procedures, which has caused public outrage in India.
On the other hand, this case has led to growing concerns in Indian society about youth gender awareness—of all those arrested, minors accounted for nearly 19%, highlighting how the lack of sex education is becoming a social hazard.
Some social organizations in India have called on the government to strengthen sex education in schools and families to prevent minors from becoming "potential offenders". Women’s rights groups have also criticized authorities for lacking effective security measures for women during large-scale events, arguing that lax law enforcement may even encourage a “low-cost harassment” mentality.
Police Promise Security Review
In response to the controversy, Hyderabad police stated that they would review their security arrangements during festivals and consider deploying women police patrol squads, as well as setting up reporting stations and monitoring points to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
But many observers believe that merely reallocating personnel is not enough to solve the problem; the fundamental solution lies in society’s attitude towards gender-based violence and the strength of judicial system reforms.