Metro must prevent harassment

It was around 9 pm. I was travelling from Rajiv Chowk to Kirti Nagar Metro station. In my coach, I witnessed a disturbing incident: Two boys were constantly teasing a girl. The girl tried to protest, but the boys kept on harassing her. They were even touching her hair. The girl warned them, sternly saying, “Don’t touch me”. But the harassment went on unabated. No passenger paid any heed.

I thought of confronting the two boys, but I was the only one and there were two of them. And I knew other passengers were not bothered. So on a practical note, I thought it would not be a good idea. I took out my phone and was about to dial the helpline number, which was given in the Metro, when one of the boys noticed it and tried to intimidate me by standing close to me.

I got down when my station arrived and immediately informed a CISF personnel who was strolling around the station. He told me to go and inform Metro security men. I went there and informed them. They again told me that they cannot do anything about it. They told me to report it to the chief security guard. But when I went to look for him at the office, he wasn’t there. So, I had no other option but to drop the matter and come back.

What bothered me most about it is that the officials, when I complained to them about the incident, were not at all bothered. They acted as if it’s a normal issue. They failed to take any action. And my question is: What are the security cameras inside Metro coaches for? If they cannot help to control such harassment in public places, then such cameras are of no use. What disturbed me more than the harassment is the officials’ nonchalant attitude towards the whole incident.

Kamal Kumar Lugariya, 27, works as data entry operator at the Department of Education, Delhi

— As told to Shruti Das