It was Sunday. Suddenly a call came from the in-laws that Baba-father-in-law had passed away. As soon as we heard the news, both of us, husband and wife, left for Kanpur from Delhi by bus without any delay. The bus was good and we got a comfortable seat.
There were a lot of seats vacant in the bus, so the husband suggested that he sit in the seat next to me, so that I could lie down and rest on an entire seat. The lights of the bus were switched off about 15 minutes after leaving the bus stand. It was a cold, foggy night in January. Nothing was visible outside the window and there was complete darkness inside the bus as well.
Both of us were immersed in deep sorrow. I fell into a light sleep lying on the seat. The rest of the passengers of the bus had also slept. I was remembering some loving moments spent with my father-in-law, when I felt something strange, as if something was crawling on my body.
Being sleepy, I ignored it and turned over. Sometimes on the stomach, sometimes on the back, even after changing sides several times, that feeling did not go away. A doubt arose in the mind as to whether there was any insect or snake there. Out of fear, I felt the seat in the weak light of the mobile, but could not see anything.
I lay down again, but now my mind was restless. Within a short while the same feeling occurred again. This time I sat up immediately. I felt the person sitting on the seat immediately behind me move as I stood up. I doubted whether he was trying to touch me deliberately. However, it was difficult to understand how his hand was reaching my waist and back despite the high back of the seat.
I told the whole thing to my husband sitting in front. He said, “You must be confused, go to sleep.” With his trust, I went back to my seat and lay down.
This time I was completely alert. As soon as I lay down, I felt the same movement again. This time I immediately caught hold of his hand, which was touching me through the gap between the seat and the back. I held his finger tightly, but he jerked it away.
Now my anger was at its peak. I told my husband again. He said, “If you have any problem, come and sit on my seat.” But this time it was not just about discomfort, it was about my self-esteem.
Without thinking anything, I turned back and attacked the man. Started killing him in the dark itself. As soon as he heard my voice he started shouting. The driver immediately stopped the bus and switched on the lights.
Now everything was clearly visible. Even my husband was convinced that I was telling the truth. They also beat that man badly. Seeing his face in the light, I was both surprised and angry. He appeared to be educated, from a good family and working in a good company.
It shuddered to think that the young future of our country could stoop so low that it could commit such a heinous act with a married woman even in front of her husband.
On the request of the bus driver and other passengers, without escalating the matter further, we got the young man down from the bus at the same spot. After this the bus moved ahead, but that incident left fear and resentment in my mind for a long time.
This is the story of Radha Gupta, resident of Kanpur. Like Radha, many women become victims of sexual harassment, sometimes in public transport or on the streets. However, not all are able to raise their voice like Radha. The voice of some is suppressed, while some themselves do not say anything due to public shame. But Radha showed courage and fought back.
What is learned?
Such incidents teach us that it is very important to raise voice against wrong. By being afraid or remaining silent, criminals gain more courage. The greatest strength is to protest at the right time, ask for help and stand up for one’s self-respect. All women should show the same courage that Radha took for her self-respect.
What should you do in such a situation?
- Don’t ignore your fears.
- Immediately call out to the people present nearby.
- Inform the driver or conductor.
- If necessary, call the police helpline (number 100).
- Most importantly, don’t blame yourself.