On January 1, a tweet by a user named “Venom” on X (formerly Twitter) sparked outrage across social media. The controversy started when Blinkit’s CEO shared a striking statistic: 1.2 lakh packets of condoms were delivered on New Year’s Eve through their platform alone.
This number highlighted a growing awareness of safe sex practices and sexual health in India. However, instead of appreciating this positive trend, Venom turned it into an opportunity to showcase his outdated mindset. His tweet read:
“Blinkit CEO posted that 1.2 lakh packets of condoms were delivered last night. Just for last night and just for Blinkit. Other e-commerce sites and market sales would be as high as 10 million. Good luck finding a virgin girl to marry in this generation.”
The remark immediately drew sharp criticism. Venom’s comment reflects an antiquated and sexist belief system, where a woman’s value is tied to her virginity while completely ignoring that sexual health, choices, and autonomy are personal matters.
This kind of statement is more than just offensive—it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It shames women for their choices and reduces them to archaic standards of purity. Meanwhile, it conveniently ignores the fact that men are equally part of the equation when it comes to sex.
Sexual health awareness, reflected in the large-scale purchase of condoms, is a step toward responsible behavior. It shows that people are taking precautions and prioritizing safety. Shaming this is not only regressive but also counterproductive.
The backlash to Venom’s tweet was swift and strong, with many calling out his misogyny. Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada’s response was particularly sharp and thought-provoking. She tweeted:
“Men have sex with women. Then men complain they want virgins. Men need to stop having premarital sex with women—ask your bros and male friends to NEVER have sex till marriage. Unless they were buying condoms to have sex with goats, dogs, and reptiles.”
Her words shed light on the hypocrisy often displayed in such conversations. While men freely engage in premarital relationships, they still expect women to conform to an outdated ideal of “purity.”