17 August,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanisha Banerjee
Illustration/Uday Mohite
In August, when Mumbai sinks into the monsoon's damp embrace, a certain gloom settles over the city. Yet, in the middle of this grey, the pop of colour is the college festival season finally kicking off this weekend. Mumbai hosts two of Asia's largest student-run events, drawing thousands of wide-eyed student organisers each year who pour their blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into building these cultural behemoths.
For those three years of undergraduate studies, college becomes their entire universe and, in this small bubble, being part of festivals can often mark students as "the ones to watch out for". Everyone wants to be a part of it, but there are only so many "organiser" positions, and those at the top of the "festival hierarchy" have figured out a way to exploit this imbalance. Beneath the sheen of "hustle culture" and college spirit, there are sordid whispers of top student organisers demanding sexual favours, or degrading acts in exchange for picking the lucky few. From a male committee head's hand on a girl's thigh to comments about female members' appearances, to after-hours drinks where sexual advances are passed off as humour, the rumours of misconduct are many.
One student shared with us an instance where the male head and sub-heads of a student department asked a junior female volunteer to sweep the floor. "She was wearing a deep-neck top and they were laughing lewdly at her cleavage when she bent down." Another spoke about the sheer audacity with which a head propositioned her friend. "She wanted to volunteer but had missed the form deadline. She knew the head from a different festival. He told her, âIf you show me your b''bs, I'll give you a place in the team.' When she gave him a stern look, he brushed it off as âjust a joke'."
If this revelation reminds you of the casting couch in showbusiness, or of #MeToo complaints from the corporate sphere, you're not the only one. Except, the perpetrators are teenage or twenty-something men corrupted too early by power, and the targets are their female college-mates who are too young and too keen to make their mark to call it out as exploitation.
"Fests are how you become popular. Not just among students, but also among the professors or faculty. That's how you make a name for yourself," says Lily Patel [name changed], a recent graduate from a heritage South Mumbai college known for organising one of the most popular fests in the city. Patel has participated in 10-odd college festivals. She's what we'd call a serial festival person. Year round, they participate in every single event to make a place for themselves in their institutes's flagship festival. It's the college equivalent of climbing up the ladder. "If you don't participate, you're marked as a loser," explains Patel, "You're indoctrinated to believe that nothing is more important."
It's a chance for students to display their work ethic too, although unlike a workplace, they are expected to work tirelessly for no pay, and often no dignity. But there are some startling similarities between fests and formal workspaces. College fests also consist of strong hierarchies. Usually, every fest will have a handful of core chairpersons at the top rung, under whom are the heads, then the department sub-heads, and volunteers at the very bottom.
Volunteers make up the largest part of the workforce. And, like some workplaces, sexism and harassment are rampant. Where Patel was a sub-head in her department, Chandni Kadu [name changed], was a head. She recalls how women are automatically out of the running for chairpersons in certain departments that are seen as men's domains. "Management is the one department that is the most outward looking; they speak to vendors, to sponsors," says Kadu, "It is assumed only someone âstrong' can take up this job. College fests are known to be sinking ships when it comes to money. But the year I was head [2023], was one of the few years where we were actually able to make a noteworthy profit." Interestingly, that was also the year when all the chairpersons were women.
Other departments like tech, logistics, or security are also traditionally known to be male-led. In such wings, women are often not taken seriously. Rohini Joshi [name changed] was a sub-head for a college fest where she had to communicate with one such department. "They [the men] would simply not listen to me. They just never are respectful of your position," she says. It got to the point that she had to ask her fellow sub-head, a man, to talk to the department. Magically, things got done much faster. "The sexism frustrated me but I just didn't have the time for it," Joshi said.
In 2023, the Delhi High Court took cognisance of alleged filming of women students inside a washroom at a college festival in the capital. A sweeper was arrested, and the HC noted that the incident highlighted lapses in security measures resulting in trauma for students. In Mumbai, no cases have reached the police yet. But this, say students, could be because such incidents are brushed under the carpet, with little to no repercussions for the accused.
Stories of misbehaviour at festivals are abound. Alcohol use is rampant, and is almost a ritual to bond with other organisers and heads. "To this day, stories keep coming out and it's been a years since I graduated," says Kadu, holding up her arm to show goosebumps rising on her skin. She recounts a number of cases where men allegedly touched women inappropriately without consent. "These were people we knew, people we were friends with. And all these men could very easily just say, âYou know I was drunk, you saw her kiss me back', portraying the whole act as if they were just mingling."
Kadu recounts that twice in her time at her college, official complaints were made and the alleged perpetrators were blacklisted from participating in fests. "These people were protected by how ânice' they were perceived to be. They were in important positions, they were popular with professors. They had such clout that no one would believe you if you complained about them," she says. There was allegedly a case where multiple women stood up against the same man, who was ultimately removed from a very important position. But no further action was taken. No suspension, or an inquiry.
One well-known Vile Parle college cancelled its flagship fest around two years ago. Allegedly, ragging ran rampant in the college and would sometimes take a sexual turn. A student from the college tells us, "It was very common to ask people to do, say, push ups on each other's bodies in interviews. [They were asked to do] things that had nothing to do with skills required for the fest." Another student tells us, "There were stories about this guy who had asked a female volunteer to pick something up from his crotch in the audition. Another head took it too far ragging a male student and the volunteer ended up on a wheelchair. That was the tipping point for the faculty."
Attendees are not immune to the harassment either. Julie Paulose [name changed] recalls how she was groped during a college festival. "The first fest I attended was in 2022; the crowd had gotten out of hand. While exploring the halls in a packed area, I felt a hand graze my butt - and then stay there for a moment." The crush of bodies made it impossible to see who did it or react.
Sunday mid-day reached out to a few of the city's major colleges to ask what safety measures they have in place for students at their events. At the time of going to print, only St Xavier's College had responded. "Our college has various support systems for students all through the year, which is stepped up during festivals," says Dr Annapurna Shankarnarayanan, convenor of Internal Committee, St Xavier's College. "We have an Anti-Ragging Cell with a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of harassment. Further, we also have a Grievance Redressal Cell for students."
"Digital signages and posters keep educating students against all forms of ragging. The Internal Committee has been conducting multiple sessions in college for employees and students to understand and respect boundaries, and also to explain to the POSH and POCSO Acts. There were three sessions conducted in the past fortnight by a lawyer who is also a POSH consultant. Further, there is a contingent of competent staff constantly with students during festivals. Also, students can meet the principal or any vice principal."
Without no other action taken to protect them, sexual harassment survivors are often hesitant to come forward against those in powerful positions who hold strong favour among the faculty. Getting people to even talk about these incidents has proved to be the hardest part of reporting on this issue. Many students, even those who had privately shared disturbing incidents, refused to go on record, afraid of jeopardising friendships, future opportunities, or their place in a coveted committee.
The culture of denial has turned many fests into safe havens for predatory behaviour. As long as incidents are dismissed, these celebrations will remain breeding grounds for harassment. And each time a survivor is silenced, the fun and frolic only serve to mask the rot beneath.
Nishant Mody
Nishant Mody, who graduated from a well-known city college in 2009, recalls a very different atmosphere back then. "During our days, sexual harassment wasn't as prevalent as it is now. It didn't happen." He notes that every year, college societies evolve, redefining what is considered acceptable. "Nothing against today's generation," Mody adds, "But the sensitivity to what is offensive and what is not has changed a lot globally over the last two decades."
Tanvi Das [name changed], a survivor and witness of multiple incidents of sexual harassment at college festivals recounts her experience:
I acutely remember this one instance in a college festival when I showed up with coloured hair for a meeting and a male fellow sub-head looks at me and says, âYou are a s''t.' All this because I dyed my hair? Harassment is not always just physical; it can be verbal as well. Comments like these are extremely derogatory and unnecessary. This individual was my senior; he was someone I had known since I was in junior college and he was extremely sweet back then. It was deeply sad to witness what this person had turned out to be.
This was his behaviour with most girls on campus, and it was encouraged by other men in the department who hero-worshipped him. Once, a department head I was volunteering for said in an icebreaker - in front of the entire department - that he wants to make out with me in an isolated area of the college. He also proceeded to talk about how he fantasises about getting sexually involved with another girl in our department (both of us being a year younger than him) in front of everyone. They force people to answer to these scenarios, including boys who are uncomfortable with this. The ratio of men to women was more in my department. So women simply took in the discomfort. Even if you resist, you hear about how âyou're killing the vibe'.
I even know of a guy who had asked girls what size they were, and if they fit into a size M, they would get into the department. This person had connections with the vendors so he always was given a spot on the committee. Another senior would get extremely touchy with girls during fests. He would always creep up from behind and touch girls without consent. At times, he'd corner them, stand in their personal space and talk to them. Teachers wouldn't take us seriously. He was very close to them, which is probably why he was made a fest sub-head against policy, despite him being debarred in a semester.
Sadly, there were no consequences for them at all. I did not reach out to a teacher because there is no awareness of whom to go to. Even if I had, what would I have said? In my college, we have a gender cell, but you need proof. I can't openly complain to anyone that, âa senior was sitting too close to me and had their hand on my thigh despite me pushing it away'. Even saying this out loud would lead to people saying âyou're too full of yourself'. College fests have turned into an unsafe space whether we acknowledge it or not. The sheer guts of the men who did these things is something I have come to despise and be wary of. Seniors may graduate and never cross paths with you again, but their words and actions always stay with you."
Shreyan, ex-student of a renowned college in South Mumbai, shares how he has witnessed subtle sexual harassment and tried to step in
In most cases, the men in charge end up taking more girls into their teams. To âbond' with them, the men organise post-college meet-ups, which is the student version of after-work drinks in cramped, noisy bars. The crowding and alcohol often create uncomfortable situations for women. A man trying to get close to one girl can end up in her personal space without her consent, spoiling the atmosphere. Under the pretext of being friendly, they'll put their arms around a girl.
These sessions last two to three hours, eating into the time the girls have to get home. If they drink more, some men position themselves as âknights in shining armour'. Women can tell the difference between genuine care and opportunism. If they don't attend these bar nights, they aren't excluded, but are labelled âboring'. Drunken physical affection between men is seen as brotherhood; between men and women, it's treated like the woman is basically putting herself up for auction.
I have a friend who was in the elevator with her department head, a senior. He straight up remarked, âIf the lift gets stuck, I'll rape you'. He then proceeded to laugh it off casually. And it was a surprise because the guy was working with me too. Did we do anything about it? Nothing. He was chummy with the faculty, and all we could do was hide our repulsion towards him and continue with work. I have stepped in before, when a guy leaned in toward a junior who clearly panicked. I distracted him so she could get away. Girls are often too scared to confront this behaviour directly, so it is a grey area for a third person like me too."
Kabir Ahuja, who is one of the founding members of a major college fest in the city, remembers a very different culture in 2003. "At the time, this sexual assault perspective was not there at all. People would rag and all, but we would call it healthy ragging. There was some sort of dignity to the people who would work for the fest or attend the fest." For him, the most defining moment was when his college held its first-ever fest. "We would always see the other college fests happening and would participate too. It took us a couple of years to convince our college to launch its own fest. We used to live for that journey and moment, and were excited to see where the next generations take it." But he draws a sharp line on misconduct. "In general, sexual assault has been growing amongst youngsters. College is a place to experiment, but this [harassment] is something that should not be done."
"What the survivor has been through is traumatic. Trauma leaves a lasting scar or imprint on the individual, impacting their emotional and psychological functioning. Anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbing are a few of the effects that the victim may experience. There is a lot of disillusionment as well. Colleges and academic institutions should be safe havens for the students. When we expect a safe space but it suddenly turns out unsafe, it brings a lot of shock and mistrust. The victims could struggle to believe in the intentions of their partners/friends/ family or anticipate betrayal, leading to anxiety and insecurity.
We learn to please people by staying silent. Being silent or not defying brings in positive outcomes, like peace, avoidance of conflict, or even a desired action from the other person. That can inadvertently teach that silence is the best or only way forward and not get themselves in trouble. Many survivors face guilt, shame, and self-blame - âWas I dressed appropriately? Did I invite this?' Families may ask invalidating questions. Police and judicial systems often lack sensitivity training. These gaps deter reporting."
"Alcohol and substance use are a big factor. In college, marijuana use is almost an epidemic - one in three students smokes up. Under the influence, inhibitions lower, boundaries blur, and control diminishes. Upbringing is another factor; we don't teach young men respect, boundaries, or empathy. It's not just about parents - schools and society play a role. Peer influence also matters. In groups, aggression or harassment can be encouraged.
Misogyny starts in childhood - from sexism at home and seeing how fathers treat mothers. Role models matter. Figures like Andrew Tate influence some, but they're not the majority. Even bullying plays a role - those who were bullied may later become bullies themselves, seeking control. Without early intervention, they can escalate into repeat offenders. That's why awareness, checks, legal measures, and functioning sexual harassment committees in colleges are crucial. Unfortunately, many institutions don't prioritise workshops or training."
Students seem to be breaking their backs to have a fest on their CVs. But, are college fests truly even such a big deal? We ask Shweta Sikchi, an HR professional, what employers think. She says, "Employers value college fest participation only if it builds skills relevant to the role - such as event management, marketing, or public relations. In purely technical jobs, such experience rarely carries weight, as recruiters prioritise domain knowledge and problem-solving ability. Students often highlight their fest experience on resumes believing it shows versatility and practical exposure beyond academics. However, without a clear link to the job's requirements or tangible contributions, fest participation remains just an extracurricular note rather than a decisive hiring factor."
"In the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act [aka POSH Act], which came into effect in 2013, âworkplace' includes every organisation - colleges, universities, private offices, NGOs, and government offices. Every organisation is expected to have a prevention policy and create awareness so everyone knows where to go if they face sexual harassment. In addition, universities have guidelines asking colleges to set up gender centres, create awareness, and address this issue. We created a short film with a renowned college to raise awareness. It was called Lines Crossed.
It's not enough to establish the cell and stay silent about it. The law requires names of committee members to be visible. Many set up cells without creating awareness. Some policy changes to focus on are more awareness, sex education, and conversations about boundaries, consent, and inappropriate behaviour. If this culture exists in colleges, men eventually carry it into workplaces. If you complain to the district collector and they find you lack an Internal Committee, there's a Rs 50,000 fine, and your licence to run the institution can be revoked.
Women often don't feel comfortable filing an FIR or going to the police - but they always have the option. The POSH Act was meant to avoid that, giving women a way to address issues within their organisation. It's a non-criminal process: the organisation's Internal Committee conducts an inquiry and recommends action against the student or professor."
What media and popular culture influences such behaviour? As the roast format gains popularity with college crowds, we wonder whether fest heads are taking inspiration from shows like India's Got Latent, and looking to recreate the format at fest auditions. We ask comedian, Sharul Channa, and she said: "Roasting as a format has always been prevalent in college life - whether in India, Singapore, Europe, or Southeast Asia. Maybe now it's being used as an excuse because they see someone running a roast show and think, âHe can talk to a woman like this, so I can too'. They might feel they're getting approval from popular culture. On the flip side, they could also see how someone like Samay Raina got cancelled, and how risky it is to be a comedian doing roasting - there's a lot of backlash.
Sharul Channa, stand-up comic
"Bullying has always existed in colleges. For example, in the film 3 Idiots, there's a whole ragging scene because ragging was famous at the time. In many films, ragging culture is shown - society inspires art, not the other way around. "Boys look at someone like Samay Raina as âcool' and funny, and think roasting is a way to âget in' socially. But the same was true in earlier decades - movies with Salman Khan or other stars validated certain behaviours. "What's changed is social media. It's made everything worse. Now everyone wants to be âcool' online. Art has very little to do with it - it's just reflecting what's already in society."
