Mother Makes Daughter Sit on Floor for Lunch During Periods
Instagram influencer criticized for upholding menstruation taboo by having daughter sit separately during a family meal.
An influencer, who posts videos on fashion, beauty, and travel on Instagram, has come under criticism for following “regressive customs” related to menstruation. Rupal Mitul Shah, who is based in Surat, had posted a video on her Instagram account last month, that showed her family having lunch on an ostentatious dining table at their new home where they had just shifted. She said it was their first family lunch since shifting to their new home. However, what caught the eye of netizens was her daughter sitting on the floor with her plate. While the family is enjoying their lunch and engaging in conversation, the girl is seen sitting with a grim expression on the floor. Shah explained in the caption that her daughter was sitting on the floor because she was on her period and they “strictly avoid person-to-person contact during those days of month”. She further added in the caption, “I and Janvi love to cling to it and we respect that decision taken by my family since ages, and till today we observe it very strictly!” The video was posted on 6th November and has amassed more than 6.6 million views. However, the comments have been disabled. A few netizens shared the clip on X, and expressed outrage. As internet users came across this video, they reacted by saying that people sitting in a posh-looking house are following such regressive customs, it's a shame. Others reacted to this video by saying 'a tradition that treats women as untouchables for a normal bodily function?’ And you're not gonna even TRY changing that?' Several social media users reacted by saying that this is 2023 and we have to still go through this. In a world where conversations around menstrual health and equality are gaining momentum, incidents like these serve as reminders of the deep-rooted taboos that persist in various places. However, the public reaction to Shah's post indicates a growing awareness and demand for breaking free from restrictive practices, emphasizing the need for open conversations about menstrual health and dismantling age-old taboos.
