11-year-old boy challenges gender bias through his hair journey

During the lockdown period, Akuls hair grew long, as no salons were open, said Sumit Mehra, Akuls father..

So one day Akul told us that he would not cut his hair any more, and we supported his decision..

Mumbai: Eleven-year-old Akul Mehras bold act of challenging gender bias and societal norms by growing his hair long prompted his school, JBCN International School, Oshiwara, to allow all male students to sport long hair..

When school resumed after the pandemic, Akul went back with long hair but not without having done his homework..

Oberoi International School in Goregaon, which was one of the first schools in Mumbai to establish a queer support group two years ago, has recently made space in its primary school library for childrens picture books that use cartoon-style illustrations to tell stories questioning gender norms..