‘Biryani Date’ Incident Sparks Dialogue on Consent and Entitlement in India
A recent incident related to dating culture has ignited significant discussions on social media in India. This was triggered by a viral video from a stand-up comedy show, where an audience member shared his experience of taking a woman on a date. He claimed that after treating her to a plate of biryani costing 370 rupees (about €3.36), he expected sexual favors in return.
His comment, “I spent money, so I should get something back,” was met with laughter from the audience and the comedian Pranit More, who was hosting the show. However, this humorous take on a serious topic has drawn sharp criticism and backlash online.
Following the uproar, the individual who made the remark was dismissed from his job, while Pranit More issued an apology for not condemning the comment and instead joining in the laughter.
This incident has raised important questions about entitlement and consent, with many debating whether paying for a meal gives men any rights over women’s bodies. Critics argue that the laughter from the audience only serves to normalize the everyday sexism that women face in India.
The backdrop to this conversation is alarming, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reporting 29,536 cases of rape and over 441,000 incidents of crimes against women in 2024 alone.
A Growing Conversation on Consent
Mrignayanika, a professional from New Delhi, offered her insights on how such encounters can reflect a transactional mindset in dating. She expressed her discomfort with men who believe that treating women to drinks entitles them to their time or attention. To counter this, she always prefers to split the bill.
“I don’t want anyone to think I owe them anything just because they bought me a drink,” she shared. “I’d rather enjoy my coffee alone.”
Gayathri Sreedharan, an applied anthropologist and founder of Izaar, a sexual health discussion group, pointed out that India struggles with effective consent education. “In this country, discussing sex often encounters a freedom of speech issue,” she explained. “We can laugh at rude jokes but find it challenging to cover essential topics like consent and sexual health.”
As these conversations continue, they highlight the pressing need for awareness and education around consent and respect in relationships.
