Women and queer people march in Hyderabad to reclaim public spaces

Around 150 women and queer people marched from Necklace Lake View to People’s Plaza in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 3, raising slogans and carrying placards demanding safer and more accessible public spaces.

Vaishnavi Moola, one of the organisers, said the march was prompted by the state of women’s safety and the restrictions often imposed on women after incidents of violence.

“We no longer want to sit at home,” she said. “When we face a problem, they put more restrictions on us and say we cannot go into parks after six o’clock. That is not justified. We want to reclaim public space.”

Moola said the organisers were influenced by work on women reclaiming public spaces and how their presence can force authorities to address gaps in urban infrastructure. She pointed to inadequate street lighting, poor police patrolling in dark zones and public transport that women cannot reliably use at night.

“Small changes in infrastructure, like making public transport accessible and women-friendly at night, can make a lot of difference,” she said.

The march came amid renewed concerns over violence against women in Hyderabad. Three women were found dead in separate hotel rooms in the city over a span of 13 days. Police investigations into the cases are continuing.

Moola acknowledged that the October 3 gathering largely reached English-speaking, internet-connected participants and did not adequately represent women from different socioeconomic backgrounds. She said the organisers wanted future marches to be held within neighbourhoods to widen participation.

The group plans to encourage women to organise similar events every month, with different participants taking the lead rather than relying on the same organisers.

“This should inspire other women to take the lead and spread the message that we are equal citizens,” Moola said. “We are equally deserving of being free, being safe and living without the fear of violence.”

The peaceful march concluded at People’s Plaza.