A series of videos shared by Uttarakhand-based content creator Puran Chand, who lives in one of the rural parts of Uttarakhand, has sparked a discussion online after he documented his wife following traditional restrictions during her menstrual cycle.In the videos, the woman is seen staying separately from the rest of the family inside their pahadi home. In one clip, the creator throws a packet of biscuits towards his wife, who is sitting outside a room. In several other clips, she is seen eating separately while her husband serves her food.The videos show the woman being repeatedly asked to maintain distance from the rest of the household during her period. She is also shown sleeping in a separate room.Rather than simply mentioning the practice, the creator films different moments from the period of isolation, including meals and her daily routine while she remains separated from the household.The clips have drawn reactions from Instagram users, with several questioning the practice of isolating women during menstruation.
Creator explains why his wife is kept separately
Following the disagreements expressed in the comments, the creator shared another video explaining the practice. In the clip, he asks his wife, “Periods mein alag kyun rakha jata hai?” to which she replies, “Mujhe khud nahi pata kyun rakha jata hai.”The creator then says that such practices are followed in Uttarakhand because the state is regarded as “Dev Bhoomi” and because of the presence of temples and longstanding religious traditions.“Kyunki ye Uttarakhand hai, Uttarakhand ko ‘Dev Bhoomi’ kaha jata hai, isliye ye sab prathaayein maani jaati hain,” he says in the video.He adds that the family does not keep women separately because they want to, but because generations before them have followed the practice.“Hamare aage bahut peedhiyan ye seh chuki hain, aur hum bhi dekhte-dekhte bade hue hain,” he says, adding that they are “reeti-rivazon se ghire hue” and do not feel capable of opposing traditions that have been followed for years.The creator also says that things would be different if they lived in a city, where, according to him, women would not have to stay separately for so many days. His wife also says in the video, “Shehar mein toh kuch pata bhi nahi lagta hai.”
The vlogger is seen serving food to his wife as she stays separately during her period.
‘Aaj ye sirf insaano ko touch kar sakti hai’
Another clip from the series shows the woman on the fourth day of her period. After she takes a bath, the creator says, “Aaj isne naha liya… Aaj ye sirf insaano ko touch kar sakti hai.”The remark offers another glimpse into the restrictions shown in the videos, where the woman is kept physically separate from other members of the household during the earlier days of her period.He also says he has no hesitation in showing these practices on social media because he does not consider documenting them wrong. “Ye sab cheezein dikhane mein mereko koi sharam nahi hai,” he says, adding that people generally hesitate to speak about such practices because they are considered taboo.
Videos trigger debate on social media
The videos have since prompted a range of reactions from Instagram users, with some describing the practice as upsetting while others questioned whether such customs should continue.One user wrote, “Periods don’t make a woman impure, but treating her like an untouchable human being definitely shows how wrong our mindset can be.” Another commented, “Honestly, watching this video made me feel genuinely upset and disturbed.”
“Are we still living in 1800s?” another user asked.
The discussion has also centred on the explanation offered by the creator himself- that the practice is rooted in traditions passed down through generations and is shaped by the customs of the community he comes from.For now, the videos have brought a deeply private household practice into a very public conversation, with viewers debating where tradition, menstruation and everyday life intersect.