In the age of social media, sex workers in Pune’s Budhwar Peth are facing a new and unsettling threat — content creators filming in the area without consent, exposing their identities. Despite police intervention, the commercial sex workers (CSWs) find themselves ill-equipped to handle this modern-day intrusion.
Content creators looking to increase their viewership are capturing the lights and sounds of the red-light district, inadvertently (or intentionally) revealing the faces and identities of sex workers. This has caused significant distress for the women, many of whom entered the trade due to economic hardship. The damage caused by these invasions of privacy can be far-reaching, as families of these women discover their profession in ways that strip them of their dignity.
The Impact of Public Exposure: Lives Turned Upside Down
For one CSW in her late 20s, the damage was irreparable. After her clip appeared on YouTube, her son in Kolkata saw the video. “My son’s friend asked him, ‘Isn’t that your mother? What’s she doing in a place like Budhwar Peth?’” she recalls, devastated by the exposure.
Her family disowned her after seeing the video. “I’ve been doing this work for ten years, out of sheer necessity. Now my family has turned away from me, and my life has been shattered,” she said, sharing the psychological toll it has taken on her.
Legal Aid and Warnings: Steps Towards Protection
In response to this growing threat, the Pune District Legal Service Authority (PDLSA) has taken action, installing hoardings across the area for the first time in 15 years. These signs warn against the filming and exploitation of sex workers without their consent, marking the beginning of a long fight to reclaim their dignity.
One of the women, in her late 30s, shared how her brother discovered her profession through a YouTube video. As a result, her family severed all ties with her. “I tried to lie, saying I worked for a foundation in Pune, but my appearance in the video told the truth,” she admitted.
Content Creators in Red-Light Districts: A Growing Problem
Alka Mallappa Gunjal, a member of the Alka Foundation, who has worked closely with the CSWs in Budhwar Peth, explained the worsening situation. “With the rise of social media and curious teenagers, content creators are venturing into these areas, and it’s the women who are paying the price,” she said.
Gunjal revealed how clients now use hidden cameras to film these women, often sharing their details—including names, ages, and locations—online. “It’s like they’ve turned these women into commodities in a marketplace,” Gunjal added, expressing the grave danger posed by these violations.
She further described how certain lanes in Budhwar Peth, like Dane Galli, attract more attention due to the presence of younger sex workers. “Vloggers frequently come here to make videos, turning it into a spectacle,” she said.
The Personal Risks of Local Exposure
Another woman shared her fear of being recognized in her hometown. “During a festival, my son took me shopping in Budhwar Peth, and I was terrified that a customer might see me. I live in constant fear that my family will find out,” she said, speaking about the personal risks of being exposed.
“Life has forced me into this profession, but someday I hope to leave it. Until then, I have to keep supporting my household,” she added, reflecting the difficult balance between her work and personal life.
Legal Response: Protecting the Rights of Sex Workers
Following numerous complaints, PDLSA Secretary Sonal Patil, in collaboration with the Faraskhana Police, took swift action by issuing orders to install the hoardings and launch legal awareness programs.
The hoardings state: “Photographing or filming sex workers or Devadasi women without their consent, or sharing such content on social media, is an offense under the IT Act 2000, Sections 66E and 67, punishable by imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of Rs. 2 lakh.”
Patil emphasized the importance of educating sex workers about their rights, referencing the Supreme Court’s 2011 Budhadev Karmaskar vs. State of West Bengal judgment, which recognized the dignity and rights of sex workers. “Under Article 21 of the Constitution, sex workers are entitled to protection and dignity,” she said.
Police Efforts to Tackle Privacy Violations
Faraskhana Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme confirmed the department’s commitment to addressing these issues. “We are educating both the public and sex workers about their right to privacy. Complaints are taken seriously, and we ensure prompt action is taken against violators,” he said.
The fight for the privacy and dignity of Budhwar Peth’s sex workers is far from over, but with legal support and ongoing awareness efforts, these women are beginning to reclaim control over their lives.