Ankush Bahuguna's Plea: Men, Let's Unite Against Gender-Based Violence

Ankush Bahuguna's statement intensely addresses the gender-based violence issues and the hypocrisy in how society, particularly men, responds to it. He calls out the double standards that many men show—celebrating traditions like Raksha Bandhan, which symbolizes a promise to protect women, while also failing to acknowledge or confront the prevalent threats women face daily, often from men themselves.

Bahuguna emphasizes the importance of men recognizing their role in addressing or challenging this culture. He urges men to be a "safe element" and to prominently respect and take a stand for all women, not just those they have familial and blood relation ties with. By pointing out the common defense of "not all men" during discussions on women's safety, he highlights how this deflects from the real issue that women, at some point, have almost universally experienced harassment or worse.

He challenges men to reflect on their actions and the behaviors of those around them, from tolerating toxic behaviors in "dirty" WhatsApp groups to staying silent when witnessing harassment. His message is a call to action: for men to not just avoid hurting women but also to actively check their peer group, stand up against violence and harassment, and create a safer and positive environment for all women out there. 

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This isn't just about protecting one's sister or mother but ensuring that every woman can live without fear. The promises made on Raksha Bandhan or similar occasions are worthless if the broader issue of gender-based violence isn't addressed immediately.