Red Dot Foundation

Problem: In India, marital rape remains legal under Exception 2, Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code. Attempts to criminalize it have been rejected as "excessively harsh," with the Indian government arguing it would destabilize marriage itself. This stance leaves millions of women vulnerable, silenced, and denied justice.

Cultural Insight: In an iconic Indian tale called the 'Mahabharata, Princess Draupadi is gambled away in a game of dice by her five husbands, and dragged into court to be stripped in public. As she prays for protection, her saree miraculously becomes infinite, saving her from humiliation. For over 2,000 years, Draupadi's saree has been regarded as a symbol of protection, dignity, and justice for women, reminding us that Indian culture itself holds the key to challenging injustice.

Idea: To bring Draupadi's legacy into the present, we created the Infinite Saree, the world's longest saree and a living petition worn instead of written. Spanning 4 kilometers and designed by one of India's leading fashion designers, Nivedita Saboo, the Infinite Saree carries the embroidered signatures of women and men across the country demanding justice.

Execution: Unveiled at a special event in Mumbai, draping the interior and exterior of India's oldest Opera House, the Infinite Saree transformed a cultural garment into a symbol of justice. With press momentum and lawyers taking it to the Supreme Court this summer, the Infinite Saree continues its fight to turn ancient history into change today.