It isn’t enough if you are popular and in a position of power. What however stands out is if you use it to influence those that admire you. As namma Bengaluru FC swapped out their blue threads to pink for their inaugural match of the new I-League season against Shillong Lajong FC, they made a powerful statement – they were standing in solidarity with women and their safety.
The statement continued as they put out #WeforWomen, a video that not just condemned the mass-molestation incident in the city, but one that hopes to make safety for women, a top priority. The brains behind the screens and the I-League defending champions speak out.
“What struck us is how people were saying that an incident like this was bound to happen at such huge gatherings. Thousands of people come to watch the matches from across the world, so how then has it never happened?” asks city photographer Auditya Venkatesh. He and Chiranth Wodeyar, both partners at Mindrender Films conceptualised the minute-long video that struck a chord across the country. “We wanted to say that it’s not about who started it. But now that it has, it’s all of our problems,” says Auditya.
The video that features Sunil Chhetri, Daniel Lalhlimpuia and John Johnson from the team and several women across professions from the city was made by the duo in a day with a seven-member crew. “Many people look up to sports stars and we decided to let them do the talking. While Sunil has a huge following and inspires people across ages, Daniel is honest and John, being an English footballer, added the perspective that the problem was global,” says Chiranth, recollecting that Chhetri felt so passionately about the issue that his eyes brimmed with tears.
Like how safety is far from blame game and remains a collective issue, the footballers shared the lines of their script too – from treating women how men would like to be treated to creating an environment where there’s no need for protection.
“I was so troubled and angry, but realised, rage isn’t going to help. As a team, we took the responsibility to convey the message that women should never feel unsafe. Change won’t happen overnight. But it also won’t happen if we speak up only when something happens. We need to constantly drive home the point,” says the captain of the team, Sunil Chhetri. He also believes that a mix of stricter laws against offenders and a change in mindset is needed for women to feel safe in India. “When offenders get away with mild sentences and sometimes none at all, it works as reinforcement to others. Everyone thinks they do whatever they want to a woman and get away with it. We need to be relentless in the way we communicate things with children at home and school about such issues,” he adds.
Hailing from England, a defender at BFC, John has called Bengaluru home for over four years now and has always believed it to be friendly and forthcoming. While he lavishes praise, he also believes he should speak out if something is wrong. “Issues like these cut across countries, regions or cities. I was glad to be part of the video and as a team, make our voices heard,” he says.
