Under a quiet Indian night sky, Dr. Chaitanya Krishna Sharma jogs shirtless, his strides steady and fearless. For him, it’s routine. For many women, it’s a distant dream, shadowed by fear with every step after dusk. In a viral Instagram reel posted earlier this month, the psychiatrist from AIIMS New Delhi lays bare the contrast, delivering a raw, heartfelt reflection on male privilege that has ignited a nationwide conversation about gender, safety, and equality.
Dr. Sharma is more than a healer of minds; he is a catalyst for reflection. As a psychiatrist at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, he brings a unique perspective, blending clinical insight with lived experience. His reel isn’t a fitness vlog or motivational clip, it’s a mirror held up to India’s gender disparities. Sharma’s words cut through the noise, spotlighting a truth we often overlook: “Men move through the world with an ease women can only imagine.”
The reel opens with a striking line: “Thank God I am a man.” Before assumptions take root, Sharma clarifies that this isn’t about superiority. It’s about recognizing the invisible armor his gender affords him. “I’m not better,” he explains, “but the world’s been easier on me.”
For nearly two years, Sharma has run through his neighborhood after dark, often shirtless, basking in the freedom of movement. He contrasts this with the reality women face: clutching keys as makeshift weapons, texting live locations to loved ones, or quickening their pace not for exercise but to escape anxiety. “I’ve never had to look over my shoulder,” he admits, “or plan my trips with a safety checklist.”
Then comes his poignant vow: “If I have a daughter someday, she will run free too.” This promise, both personal and universal, transforms the reel into a call for change, resonating far beyond India’s borders.
NCRB data shows over 445,000 cases of crimes against women were registered in 2022, including assaults and harassment in public spaces, a number that has been rising in recent years. For Indian women, stepping out after dark often means weighing risks: routes, streetlights, and clothing considerations men rarely face.
Unlike polarizing debates that pit men vs women, Sharma’s approach is inclusive. He doesn’t accuse or shame; he invites. “Let’s talk about male privilege not with guilt, but with awareness,” he urges in his caption.
Please... let’s not make it another ‘MEN vs WOMEN’ issue, but rather have an honest discussion about it!Dr. Chaitanya Krishna Sharma, Psychiatrist, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi,
Since it was posted, the reel has become a digital campfire, drawing thousands to share their reactions. Women expressed gratitude: “Finally, someone sees us,” wrote one viewer, echoing the exhaustion of constant vigilance. Another admitted, “This made me tear up thank you for understanding our fight.”
Some argued that awareness alone isn’t enough. “Words must turn into action,” one commenter insisted, calling for safer public spaces and policy reforms. Yet even critics acknowledged Sharma’s honesty, noting that his vulnerability has opened space for dialogue in a country where gender discussions often stall in defensiveness.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)