Dancer’s bid to resist molestation sparks witch-hunt

A dancer’s attempt to resist molestation during a pre-wedding function in Nuh has triggered a dangerous wave of witch-hunting against Mewati dancers across the region. The young performer, who was brutally assaulted at the event, says the community is facing rape threats, death threats, public shaming and mass booking cancellations, plunging them into severe financial distress.

Despite the alarming escalation, Nuh Police say they are “investigating the matter,” though no formal complaints have yet been filed by the dancers.

The incident took place in Pachgaon village, where Mewati dancer Divya Chaudhary and two colleagues were performing on stage.

According to witnesses, the groom’s uncle approached the dancers, made obscene gestures and allegedly tried to molest them. Divya reacted instinctively and slapped him. Enraged, the man retaliated with repeated slaps, after which a mob pounced on Divya.

A video that has since gone viral shows Divya being pushed to the ground, beaten mercilessly and her clothes torn, while two other dancers trying to intervene were also attacked. A man who attempted to shield Divya was assaulted as well. The performers were eventually rescued by their team members and women in the gathering; they fled the venue to save their lives.

As the video spread, a vicious counter-campaign emerged online, naming and shaming Divya and other Mewati dancers, calling them “prostitutes” and circulating their phone numbers.

Several online Mewati forums have issued boycott calls and urged men to “teach these dancers a lesson,” the performers allege.

“We are dancers and not prostitutes. The man, while offering money, tried to molest me and I did what any girl would. The crowd thrashed me and I had to flee for life. Since then I have been facing a nightmare. I am getting obscene calls as I have been labelled a prostitute. I am getting rape threats and death threats but most importantly I am being boycotted and all shows are being cancelled. How do I run my home?” says Divya.

Another well-known performer, Billi, says the backlash has shaken the community: They pay to see us dance and not molest. Divya’s slap has rattled the fragile male ego here and they are venting it out on all dancers. The wedding shows are being cancelled and we are being pressurised to return advances. See social media — they are urging people to molest, rape and thrash us. All dancers like us are scared to go on stage. People with large online following are running these campaigns.”

Most Mewati dancers come from economically weak backgrounds and perform at weddings, parties and election events. Harassment is a frequent occupational hazard, and their male associates often step in to protect them. But this time, the violence and public retaliation have escalated far beyond the norm.