By Aditi Mishra:
I live in Delhi. The city has everything to offer a common man and is indeed amongst one of the most happening cities of our country. Yes Delhi has everything, but how safe is it for me as a girl – is the most critical question for most of us.
While travelling in a bus I am welcomed by all staring and leering of boys and men. They have this wondrous ability to gaze constantly even if you notice them and give back a raging look. The worst part is it’s not only the young men who participate in this activity but the league is joined by the older men, ones with family, kids and even ones accompanying their girlfriends.
For metro, I am extremely thankful to it for introducing the women’s coach. It has hugely reduced the embarrassment of lewd remarks which were regular. It also saves me during the rush hours’ when having physical proximity is the easiest and is zesty moment for the opposite sex.
I take an auto for college but the auto driver refuses to switch on the meter and grins continuously giving various reasons from facing traffic jams to not getting sawari while returning. I finally successfully persuade one of them to go by meter. During this journey too I find the driver glancing through the rear glass, I can do nothing but avoid, and if it becomes irritating then snap him and command him to pay attention on the road. On hearing this too the big grin doesn’t disappear from his face.
Further walking on the road and heading towards home, the roadside romeos treat their eyes and as if they see a delicious dish and make every attempt to get close enough. And when you look around for the police, you usually get a cold look from them as well.
In the evening I come across several cars parked with men inside them boozing, smoking or playing loud music. They are the worst to face as they are usually out of their senses. I somehow make way back to my colony. All of a sudden I feel someone coming towards me from behind. I slowly take a look back and get disgusted from the familiar face I see. It’s the stalker following me for the past several months.
I make haste in taking my steps and so does he. I never understood the problem of this insane guy, even after polite refusal to his offer of so-called ‘friendship’, he still keeps pestering me and have an eye on me always.
My friends warn me of dire consequences if I do not report against him to the police. But I do not want to join the endless list in which Radhika Tanwar was recently added and become the victim of a stalker’s grudge. She had complained in the police and still met the dreadful fate. Will the police be around me round the clock to protect me or should I restrain myself in the house due to his fears? All these questions remain unanswered.
This seems to be part of my life everyday. I risk myself every time I step out of my house. The referral of ‘I’ is not for an individual; it is the story of all the women and represents the supposedly better and fairer sex.
In this modern time, women demand equal status in all fields. Same lines are being repeated – women are excelling in all spheres be it politics, business, sports or any other activity. Our leaders are women, from Delhi to Bengal and from Uttar Pradesh to Tamil Nadu. Our president too is a women and even the central government is believed to function under the orders of the most influential woman. Yet all this progress leads nowhere if a woman is not safe especially ones residing in the heart of the country which is New Delhi.
Serious law reform is the need of the hour and it’s high time for the citizens to get the wake up call. What are your views? Do post your comments in the comments section below.