Aranya (name changed) leaves from home at lajpat Nagar at 8 am every day for North Campus Delhi University where she is pursuing BA History (Honours). Even though she credits a “safe and smooth” journey to the Metro women’s compartment, she says as the sun recedes the “fear” looms large over the issue of safety. As India completes four years of the horrific incident of “Nirbhaya Rape”, girls recall that horror even now when it turns dark in the evening.
“Metro has made life easier but things are not great for girls. Whether we are in a jam packed road of Old Delhi or deserted street South Delhi, the eve teasers are countlessly waiting for a prey. Three out of my four friends share about an incident of stalking, eveteasing or some harassment even today,” Aranya said.
Aranya says the fear of such incidents never allows them to plan late evening assignments. “We always plan things till 4 pm in the evening because the days begins to end our anxiety grows of reaching home. Our parents also have set deadlines for us because no one has forgotten Nirbhaya.
While Aranya credits the women’s compartment of Metro, Rubina Rashid who is from Kirori Mal College says girls face “sexual harrasment” every day in the common compartment of the metro. “My friends get badly touched in those crowded compartment and when they look around they can’t even guess who it was among those strange faces. Especially, the metro on yellow line which cross through “vishwavidyala” (university) the harassment is common.”
Neha (name changed) from lady Shri Ram College shared the horrors of eve-teasing near the area a Moolchand Metro station which is the nearest to the college. Even the police presence has been increased near that metro station, the college girls say the entire area of Kailash Colony must be increased with security.
Principal of the Hans Raj College, Rama Sharma calls for “better bringing up and education” of both boys and girls at home.
“We know the scenario is not going to change overnight in our country. But all that I want besides security on roads is education and better bringing up in our homes. We give only dolls to girls but instead they should be allowed to play whatever they want. They must be empowered in their homes first. There should be no discrimination between a girl and boy in the bringing up,” Sharma told The Pioneer.
Sharma said it is a must to teach the future generations to value the society and respect the opposite gender. “It is not just security but change of mindsets and that will come by working on the attitudes of the gender.”