Women in India have taken to Twitter to counter victim blaming by government officials after reports of "mass molestation" on the streets of Bangalore during New Year's Eve celebrations.
#YesAllWomen began trending on Wednesday night in response to a televised interview in which the Home Minister of Karnataka State Parameshwara responded to the molestations by blaming the attacks on young Indian women copying western style of dress.
![Indian women have taken to Twitter to fight back against victim blaming in the aftermath of the Bangalore mass ...](/web/20170224151740im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/m/9/7/b/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtm76i.png/1483589961382.jpg)
Intersectional feminist movement Feminism In India promoted the hashtag to encourage women to share their experiences of sexual harassment and violence.
Disgusting that response to #BengaluruMolestation is #NotAllMen. Women, it's time we reclaim narrative. Share stories w/ #YesAllWomen & RT. pic.twitter.com/UlVNmAQwaE
— Feminism in India (@FeminismInIndia) January 4, 2017
The hashtag has since been taken up by women around the world who are continuing to share their stories and support the campaign and victims via twitter.
Many Indian men took offence to the campaign and #NotAllMen also began trending with men insisting that "not all men" molest women.
@Priya_Menon @Leopard212 Surely not all Indian men. I am sure there are very many decent Indian men out there ma'am.
— Anil (@chityal_anil) January 2, 2017
The #YesAllWomen hashtag originally appeared in May 2014 in the wake of the Isla Vista killing spree in California where 22-year-old Elliott Rodger killed six people and injured more than a dozen others.
The hashtag encourages women to openly share their stories of sexual harassment to counter the narrative of 'Not All Men' which people pointed out only serves to derail discussion and further protects perpetrators of sexual violence.
Boys at my school used to talk "big big" "small small" about the size of breasts openly as girls in class passed by. #YesAllWomen
— Suchi Gaur (@sg4devpt) January 4, 2017
I will wear what I want & I will go out when I want...teach your sons not us #bangaloremolestation #YesAllWomen #bengalurushame #democracy
— Riya (@RiyaIsLife) January 4, 2017
#YesAllWomen deserve equal right to public places with freedom and dignity. No matter what their apparel is. #StopVictimBlaming
— Universal Mind (@Mokshada_) January 4, 2017
Once and for all : #NotAllMen is NOT the issue. #YesAllWomen IS the issue.
— Lola Kuttiamma (@Priya_Menon) January 3, 2017
Of course #NotAllMen. Not all men live with the fear of rape, molestation, sexual assault & physical violence. But #YesAllWomen do.
— Amena (@Fashionopolis) January 3, 2017
Logic of #NotAllMen pic.twitter.com/AeRb3NckJ4
— Sherlock (@engineerology) January 3, 2017