Video of woman drumming with infant strapped to her sparks online outrage
A Pune video showing a woman playing the dhol with her baby tied to her body has drawn sharp criticism from social media users.
Whether it is Ganeshotsav or any other festival, the beat of dhol-tasha and the energy of performers is a familiar sight in Maharashtra. Dhol-tasha troupes can be seen playing from lanes to major squares, with women taking part alongside men in large numbers. Videos showcasing this culture and enthusiasm often go viral quickly on social media. But a video from Pune is currently trending online for a different reason altogether. Instead of praise, it has triggered a major controversy and public anger.
In the viral video, a woman is seen playing the dhol with full force using both hands, with her infant of a few months tied to her waist and lap. While her face clearly shows enthusiasm and joy in playing, the small baby clinging to her chest appears completely helpless and distressed amid the deafening noise of the dhol and cymbals. After being posted on Instagram and other social media platforms, the video reached millions of people within a short time.
When the video first surfaced, some initially tried to praise it as an example of women's empowerment. But within a short time, the number of critics grew significantly. Social media users expressed strong displeasure at the woman's action. Users said that putting a small, fragile baby's health and life at risk to project oneself as a modern and strong woman is not acceptable under any circumstances.
One Twitter user wrote that there is no limit to what people will do and what stunts they will pull to gain attention on social media. They further wrote that a baby's ears are not fully developed until the age of 0-3 years, and the brain too is not fully developed, so such young children cannot tolerate loud, deafening noise.
People wrote in their comments that enthusiasm for festivals and a passion for playing the dhol is certainly commendable. But as a responsible mother, her first duty should have been to keep her infant away from the loud noise of the dhol-tasha and the crowd. Social media users alleged that ignoring one's own baby's safety purely for publicity or to show that one can do anything is the height of irresponsibility.
Commenting on the video, many expressed concern about the physical health of small children, particularly their hearing ability. According to medical experts and doctors, the ears of newborns and young children are very delicate and sensitive. The noise levels of dhol-tasha troupes often exceed 100 to 120 decibels, and direct exposure to such loud sound can rupture children's eardrums, cause permanent deafness, or adversely affect brain cells.
One user wrote angrily that someone should explain to this mother that her baby's hearing and health matter more than her own publicity. Another social media user wrote that understanding when a woman should be strong, when she should be emotional, and when she should prioritise her responsibilities as a mother, is the true and positive meaning of women's empowerment.
The video is currently at the centre of the controversy, and it has sparked a fresh debate on the safety of young children and the responsibility of parents at public festivals.
