‘My body, my right; His eyes, his right’ Chinmayi calls out Sunitha’s interpretation of feminism

What happenedTelugu singer Sunitha Upadrasta has come under fire after her comments on feminism in a recent interview went viral. Responding to a question on equality and the popular slogan “my body, my right,” she said, “My body, my right.

And his eyes, his right. When women say it, then it’s his right too.” She also questioned modern interpretations of feminism, saying, “Women think lighting a cigarette is their torch for freedom. It is the stupidest thing in the world to equate cigarette smoking with equality… If you think freedom is to wear whatever you want, you’re being foolish. That’s not feminism at all.” Sunitha further added that feminism, in her view, is about being valued equally rather than focusing on dressing or lifestyle choices.

Her remarks quickly drew backlash, with many saying she had distorted a core feminist slogan centred on bodily autonomy. But the exchange between the singers didn’t end there with both continuing to trade rebuttals, as the debate played out on social media.Statement made in anger, not intended to normalise disrespect: Sunitha clarifies

Following the backlash, Sunitha addressed the controversy through her Instagram Stories, stating that her remarks had been taken out of context.

“A statement in my recent interview was made out of sheer anger and disappointment at the way some lecherous men perceive women, and was never intended to justify, encourage or normalise disrespect, judgement, exploitation, or any inappropriate behaviour towards women.

.. My values remain unchanged: equality, respect, and zero tolerance for exploitation and injustice towards women.”When men say ‘my eyes, my right’, it normalises surveillance: Chinmayi hits out

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada responded to the clip via Instagram Stories, directly addressing Sunitha’s statement.

“When men say, ‘my eyes, my right’ and there are women who support that, it becomes very problematic. I have a lot of respect for Sunitha garu as a singer, but with all due respect, when women speak on behalf of men in such contexts, it actually makes spaces more unsafe for women. It reinforces the idea that women should accept surveillance and judgment as normal.

” She also referred to Sunitha’s remarks on women’s clothing and safety, adding: “If someone claims that a woman in a dupatta can still be subjected to ‘rape-y eyes’, then what exactly is being justified? It shifts responsibility away from men and places it on women. The idea of ‘my body, my right’ is about bodily autonomy — whether it is clothing or reproductive rights."