Delhi is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons—particularly when it comes to women’s safety. The National Capital’s reputation in this regard is already concerning, and recent incidents during Holi have only added to the growing fear and frustration among women.

A viral Reddit post shared by a Delhi woman has reignited the debate on women’s safety during Holi, detailing a disturbing incident of harassment she witnessed while returning from Gurugram to Delhi.

What Happened?

The woman, who posted under the Reddit handle ‘GuaranteeSenior69’, described how she was stuck at a red light near Chhatarpur Metro Station when she saw two young girls on a scooter, likely college students.

As they waited at the signal, a group of men covered in Holi colors suddenly jumped over the road divider and forcefully smeared silver-colored powder on the girl sitting at the back.
They tried to do the same to the driver, but her helmet protected her.
Before anyone could react, the men ran back to their waiting friend on a bike and fled.
The girls were left shaken, their clothes and day ruined—without even knowing who their harassers were.

"Delhi is really not safe for women," the post read.

The Internet Reacts: Anger and Frustration Spill Over

The post, shared three days ago, quickly went viral, gaining over 1,000 upvotes on Reddit.

Many women recounted similar experiences, expressing how Holi has become an excuse for harassment rather than celebration.

“This stupid f**king tagline ‘bura na mano’ is a free pass for incels to harass women. I stopped going out a few days before Holi when one loser hit me with a water balloon. I was in tears & felt so helpless. I hate this festival.”

“A few years back, I saw two guys on a scooter hitting women with water balloons so hard that one girl almost cried her eyes out. They were aiming at private parts.”

“Anti-Romeo squads won’t say anything now.”

(Times Now could not independently verify the authenticity of the Reddit post.)

The Bigger Problem: When 'Holi Hai' Becomes an Excuse for Harassment

Unfortunately, incidents like these aren't isolated—they happen year after year, with women being targeted under the pretense of Holi celebrations.

Consent is ignored, and phrases like “Bura na mano, Holi hai” are used as a shield for harassment.
Water balloons, colors, and even physical contact are used without permission, turning what should be a joyous festival into a nightmare for many women.
Public spaces become unsafe, forcing many women to stay indoors during Holi to avoid harassment.

What Needs to Change?

• Stricter enforcement of laws to punish those misusing festivals for harassment.
• Increased security and police patrolling in sensitive areas during Holi.
• Awareness campaigns emphasizing consent and respectful celebrations.
• Encouraging bystanders to intervene when they witness harassment.

With women constantly living in fear, it’s time for Delhi and the rest of the country to address the deep-rooted issue of Holi-related harassment—because no festival should come at the cost of someone’s safety, dignity, or peace of mind.