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Opinion National Interest PoV 50-Word Edit

ThePrint On Camera Videos In Pictures

Society & Culture Around Town Book Excerpts Vigyapanti The Dating Story

More Judiciary Education YourTurn Work With Us Campus Voice

India’s gaze strayed from new Navy chief to his daughter’s tattoos. It’s about control

Even in matters and moments of patriotism, Indians don't spare women. The instinct is older than social media. It’s older than the republic itself.

A new Navy chief had just taken charge. The photograph from the ceremony contained all the ingredients of a state occasion: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan’s immaculate white uniform, rows of medals earned over decades of service, the grandeur of the South Block, and a family assembled around a moment of professional triumph.

Yet, as often happens in India, the national gaze wandered away from the officer and his achievement, and settled instead on a woman’s body. This time, the target was Admiral Swaminathan’s daughter, standing next to him, smiling and flaunting some tattoos.

Within hours, the internet had done what it does best. A photograph became a Rorschach test. Some saw tattoos while others saw rebellion. Many saw evidence—somehow—of declining values, changing culture, parenting failure, and a dozen other complaints that had little to do with the woman in the frame, who was almost entirely absent from the conversation.

What unfolded on India’s Orwellian internet over the last two days was never really a debate about tattoos.

The country has settled that argument years ago, whether it realises that or not. Tattoos adorn our favourite stars, cricketers, corporate executives, and social media influencers. Just go to rural India. Tattoos have been tradition across........

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