Umar Farooq Bhat
Mehandiraat, traditionally a time for the bride, her family, and close friends to come together in an intimate celebration, has been transformed into a public display for social media consumption. This shift in cultural practices reflects broader societal changes, where moments that were once personal are now broadcast to the world. The concept of “izaat” (dignity or honor), which is so deeply ingrained in many societies, is no longer given the same importance, particularly in the context of modernized and digitized cultural expressions.
The irony here is stark: mehandiraat comes once in a lifetime for many women, yet the consequences of a violation of dignity, such as the publicization of their private moments, can last a lifetime. The problem lies not only in the act of recording but in the ease with which such videos go viral, often without the consent of those involved.
The Role of Social Media in Violating Privacy
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat have significantly altered the way people communicate and share their lives. While these platforms provide users with an opportunity to stay connected, they also come with a dark side, especially when it comes to the invasion of privacy.
The ease with which videos and pictures can be uploaded and shared has made people forget the value of privacy. Young girls, women, and even men seem oblivious to the dangers of sharing personal moments online. This has led to a disturbing trend where videos of women dancing at functions like mehandiraat go viral, often drawing unwanted attention and objectification. What was once a sacred and joyful celebration is turned into fodder for cheap entertainment.
Those who upload such videos often justify their actions by claiming they are merely sharing the moment or participating in modern trends. However, this behavior is irresponsible at best and malicious at worst. They fail to understand that their actions can have serious consequences, not just for the women in the videos but for society at large. The lack of consideration for privacy leads to a violation of human dignity, particularly for women who are disproportionately affected by this invasion.
The Objectification of Women in the Digital Age
One of the more disturbing aspects of this trend is the objectification of women, which is exacerbated by the viral nature of these videos. Many who watch and share these videos do so with a voyeuristic gaze, reducing the women involved to mere objects of entertainment. The issue here is not just about a loss of privacy; it is about the commodification of women’s bodies, where their personal moments are turned into content for public consumption.
What makes matters worse is that many people who share such videos are oblivious to the fact that their actions contribute to this objectification. These are individuals who may have mothers, sisters, or daughters at home—women they would likely want to protect from such violations. Yet, in the quest for likes, comments, and social media validation, they seem to forget this.
The responsibility for this trend does not just lie with the individuals who upload these videos but also with the platforms themselves. Facebook, Snapchat, and other social media sites have long been criticized for their lax privacy policies and the way they handle personal data. Many of these platforms profit from the spread of viral content, regardless of the impact it may have on the people involved.
Privacy in a Modernized Society: A Forgotten Concept?
In this so-called modernized society, privacy seems to be a concept that has been forgotten or, worse, deliberately ignored. The intrusion into personal spaces has become so normalized that people rarely stop to consider the ethical implications of capturing and sharing private moments. Privacy is no longer seen as a right but as an outdated concept that has no place in the digital age.
This erosion of privacy is especially concerning for women, who are more vulnerable to its consequences. The media is often complicit in this violation, with some outlets engaging in what can only be described as “dalaali” (peddling or brokerage) of personal data. Pictures and videos of women are sometimes sold to other sites without their knowledge or consent, often ending up in places where they are used in ways that have nothing to do with dignity or respect.
One might ask, why do people share such intimate moments so freely? The answer lies in the fact that many are unaware of the long-term consequences of these actions. They fail to realize that once something is uploaded online, it is no longer under their control. What starts as an innocent upload could end up in the hands of individuals or platforms that exploit it for profit or, worse, for nefarious purposes.
The Far-Reaching Consequences of Oversharing
The consequences of oversharing can be devastating, particularly for women. Once a video goes viral, it is nearly impossible to contain it. It could be downloaded, shared on other platforms, and even edited to misrepresent the person involved. In some cases, the images of women may be used in advertisements or linked to products they would never endorse. In more extreme cases, such images could end up on inappropriate sites, causing severe emotional distress for the individuals involved.
This loss of control over one’s image is a form of exploitation, and it is alarming that society has become so desensitized to it. The notion of personal dignity, which should be paramount in any civilized society, is often disregarded in favor of fleeting social media fame.
A Call for Greater Responsibility and Awareness
What can be done to address this growing issue? The responsibility lies with both individuals and society at large. First and foremost, individuals need to become more aware of the consequences of their actions. Before uploading a video or picture, one should consider whether they have the right to share someone else’s personal moment. In many cases, the answer will be no.
Women, in particular, need to be vigilant about allowing anyone to capture their pictures or videos during private events like mehandiraat. It’s important to assert one’s right to privacy and to demand that others respect it. Young girls, especially, should be educated about the dangers of sharing personal moments online, even on platforms like Snapchat, where the illusion of privacy is often mistaken for the real thing.
Moreover, social media platforms need to take greater responsibility for protecting users’ privacy. This includes stricter policies on sharing personal content without consent and more robust measures to prevent the exploitation of images and videos.
In conclusion, while modern technology offers numerous benefits, it has also created new avenues for the violation of privacy and dignity, particularly for women. The viral spread of mehandiraat videos is just one example of how personal moments are commodified in today’s digital age. It’s time for society to take a step back and reevaluate the importance of privacy, dignity, and respect in our increasingly connected world.
