Indore Women Protest Beards

A group of women in Indore have succeeded in getting what they set out to seek: our attention. They recently marched through the streets in an unusual protest—against beards.The demonstration, which asked men to choose between their beards and girlfriends, is making headlines after a video showed over a dozen postiche-wearing, placard-holding and slogan-raising women putting forth their demands.“Beard hatao, ya girlfriend bhul jao (Lose your beard, or forget your girlfriend),”; “No clean shave, no love,” and “Beardless boyfriend ki tamannah ab humare dil mein hai (Our hearts desire beardless boyfriends),” were some of the messages that stood out from the protest.

It’s unknown whether this anti-facial hair movement is just another sponsored gimmick or a genuine femcel fringe. However, its seemingly-provocative nature did get some strong reactions, as was likely intended.“I won’t remove so much as my pubic hair for you,” said an Instagram user“These type of Indore girls please be indoor,” another said.There were also some rational voices, who questioned the need for a protest.“If you don't like the beard, then go for a clean-shaven guy. What's the point in creating that kind of fuss?,” wrote one.Throughout our history, men have had beards. Right from when we started out as primitive brutes, up to our transition into a post-industrial world. Only the purpose our facial hair served has changed.Prehistoric men grew beards for warmth. They were also considered a symbol of strength and honour. In many cultures, beards even distinguished figures of authority from the ordinary, such as pharaohs in ancient Egypt.Today, this once all-important feature has come to be seen as a vestigial accessory of masculine vanity.In the mid-2010s, people were increasingly taking to beards, which became almost ubiquitous at one point. However, there have also been a few individualistic and non-conformist anti-beard campaigns encouraging men to think for themselves.Whatever is driving the one in Indore is anyone's guess.