Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripada has strongly criticised the idea that a woman’s clothing causes sexual violence, responding to remarks made by veteran actor Sivaji about how women should dress. Her comments have sparked widespread discussion about victim‑blaming and gender attitudes in India.
The controversy began when Shivaraj, at a promotional event for his new film, urged actresses to wear modest clothing such as sarees and avoid revealing outfits. He suggested that traditional attire was more appropriate and implied that other clothing might attract unwanted attention. Chinmayi Sripada directly criticised remarks of Sivaji, saying that his comments on women’s clothing unfairly shift the blame onto victims instead of addressing the real issue of abusive mindsets. Many people described his comments as outdated and sexist.
In a video shared on social media, Chinmayi challenged the idea that clothing is responsible for harassment or assault. She emphasised that women dressed traditionally have also faced abuse. She gave examples of incidents where women in sarees or modest clothing were harassed in public, highlighting that the problem lies in the mindset of the abuser, not the victim.
Chinmayi also pointed out that abuse often happens at the hands of people women know, such as family members or friends, rather than strangers judging their outfits. She shared her own experiences of harassment despite wearing conservative clothing to underline that blaming victims is misguided.
She urged society to focus on changing attitudes rather than policing women’s clothing. “The only cause of rape is the rapist,” she said, stressing that abuse happens because of the abuser’s choices, not what a woman wears.
Her message has resonated widely on social media, drawing support from those who oppose victim‑blaming and advocate for gender equality. The debate continues to highlight ongoing issues about how cultural expectations and gender norms influence public attitudes towards women’s rights and safety.
By addressing the root causes of harassment and assault, Chinmayi’s statement has encouraged a wider conversation about respect, consent, and equality in society.