Stalking, eve-teasing, acid attacks, cyber-bullying and groping in public places is not uncommon for women to experience on a regular basis. Women have been speaking up against this sort of sexual harassment for a long, long time. But it is only now, in the last couple of years, that any action is being taken against the offenders.
On 25th January, Damini Mahaur, a journalist from Agra was stalked and harassed by two drunk men on motorcycles. She took a picture of their bike number and their faces to register a complaint with the police. However, no action was taken by them.
According to Times Now, Damini is a news anchor with Den News, Agra and she was travelling back home from work on 25th January, at 8 p.m. Two men started following her on a motorcycle. She ignored them at first but finally snapped when they tried talking to her.
She reported her experience as soon as she reached home by calling on the women’s police helpline number – 1090. However, no case was registered and no action was taken for 4 days since her report.
She finally took to social media to express her disappointment with the police’s lack of action in a Facebook post on 28th January.
और ये है पूरा वाक़्या….25 जनवरी 2018 रात 8 बजे मैं भगवान टॉकीज़ से एम जी रोड पर जा रही थी।भगवान टॉकीज़ से ये दो नौजवान…
Posted by Damini Mahaur on Sunday, January 28, 2018
“शर्म और डर नाम की कोई चीज़ इनके चेहरे पर दिखाई नहीं दे रही”
(There was no shame or fear seen on their faces.)
She further added,
“People with this mentality who do not fear the people, if these men harass someone today, they will go rape someone else with the same fearless attitude and ruin a poor girl’s life. Ministers will reach the candle march to shine their faces, while the government, helpline and police will be left doing nothing.”
She tagged SSP Agra, women helpline, DGP UP and Yogi Adityanath in her post. It was only after this that some action was taken by the Agra Police.
आगरा पुलिस ने महिला का पीछा कर भद्दे कमेंट करने की शिकायत पर त्वरित कार्यवाही करते हुए दो अभियुक्तों को गिरफ्तार किया।@Uppolice @dgpup @adgzoneagra @igrangeagra @upcoprahul @navsekera @amitpathak09 @sengarlive @NBTLucknow @itsshobhit pic.twitter.com/p4n6e2mvty
— AGRA POLICE (@agrapolice) January 29, 2018
The duo is now arrested and booked under Section 354D which is – follows a woman and contacts, or attempts to contact such woman to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such woman.
While it is some solace that these goons were finally arrested, it is sad that it took so long for an action to be taken. The police should have reacted immediately when Damini made the complaint call on the helpline number.
If only the good Samaritans of our country work in tandem with a police force that is quick on its feet, we might be able to overcome the issue of eve-teasing and harassment. But that’s only wishful thinking, it seems.