On 28th August, a social media influencer in Karnataka posted a reel on Instagram claiming that 2 Udupi police officers asked her to not wear bikini and instructed her to wear full clothes. The cops also stopped her from clicking pictures wearing a bikini. Khyati Shree who identifies herself as a ‘digital creator’ is a Delhi based fashion model. She is famous for her questionable remarks on public authorities.
In the Instagram reel she shared about the incident happened in Padubidri Beach and wrote, “We were at Padubidri Beach in Udupi. We were having a good time. My husband was clicking my pictures. Out of nowhere two police officers arrived. They asked me why I am wearing a bikini and said where is the permit for clicking pictures. My husband clarified that wearing a bikini on the beach is absolutely legal and that no license is needed for photography in public places. The officer then pointed at a few anti-social elements at the beach and said that those people have a problem with bikini with bikini. They will beat you guys if you don’t change clothes.”
“Instead of protecting my rights the cops came to moral police me,” Khyati added in her post. She further explained the incident and wrote, “We choose safety and went inside the cottage. From inside the cottage we saw the police officers continue to engage with those goons. This is unfair. I could not sit inside feeling scared. So, to reclaim my right to enjoy the beach I went back. Danced a little while the sun set, clicked a few more pictures and sat there till it got dark. I am pretty sure it made those goons angry. But for our safety, we packed our bags and left for another village in Udupi.”
At the end of the reel she asked “Can girls really enjoy beaches here?” One of the users supported Khyati and commented, “Just because @khyatishree2 chooses to wear a bikini doesn't give anyone the right to gawk at her or subject her to moral policing. Our constitution is inherently liberal, and if certain men have an issue with women expressing themselves, perhaps they should consider wearing blindfolds rather than imposing their outdated morals on Indian women.”
The SP said, “Accordingly, the ASI informed the woman and the man that the the woman and the man that the Blue Flag beach was also a residential area. Later, they left the place. No untoward incidents have taken place at the beach.” He further said that if the woman files a complaint regarding the incident, legal action will be taken against the culprits.