Are girls safe on Indian roads?

Abhishek Pandey

The answer is no. And I have reasons to say this. The modesty of a girl was razed on one of the busiest roads of Guwahati on Monday night. More than 20 men molested her, dragged her on the road by her hair, groped her and ripped her clothes in full public view. She cried. She begged for mercy and help. But no one came forward. As usual, police came late. However the officials managed to save her from a bunch of jeering boys but failed to save her from the trauma that will haunt her all her life.

After the incident, the girl was in utter shock. She had no idea what has happened. What was her fault? Everything was fine before the incident. She had left her home a few hours before to attend a birthday party. She was going home after a brawl among her friends. The unfortunate act that went on for fifteen minutes or even more has left an indelible mark on her memory; life will never be the same for her.

Three days have gone, thirteen culprits have been identified and three have been arrested too. Police officials have done their job and hopefully, will arrest others soon. Law will take its course and the court will punish them. But have we learnt anything from this incident?

In my opinion, this particular incident does not raise any question on the functioning of police rather it question our existence as a society. It tells bluntly to our face that we have failed as a society. It shows that we are living in an era when people complain and cry about eve-teasing, molestation and violence against the fairer sex on Facebook and Twitter but do nothing in real life except being a mute spectator.

I am sure after seeing this incident on TV, all parents are worried and they should be. They will think twice before sending their daughters for coaching or shopping after the sun set. The incident will make the parents of girls think that we have not yet become civilized and there are people from barbaric age and roam on the roads with their libido.

Girls are not safe on Indian roads. And even the chief minister of Delhi accepts this when she says that girls should avoid going out at nights. I understand that she is not against women liberalization or something. She just wants girls to reach home safely and she said that out of her motherly love. I am not a great fan of congress not of Sheila Dixit. I appreciate her concern and any mother will suggest her child the same before going and eliminating all hooligans on the roads. It is different argument all together that she as the chief of the state should ensure that girls can roam around on the city roads without fear. I believe that the advice should be considered as a precaution till Delhi or say Indian roads become safer for girls.

Police may say that this is an isolated incident and it does not prove that our roads are not safe for girls to move out. The incident is disturbingly surprising because many people witnessed the incident but did not protest. Now it is high time for us to think what we learn from this incident? What will be our reaction if something like this happens in front of us? How will we react? THINK.

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