JOIN USShocked by back-to-back rapes in Bangalore earlier this month, people in the country’s IT Capital—hitherto a ‘safe’ city—are finally speaking up.
Scores of citizens left the comfort of a lazy Sunday, taking out protests and demanding immediate justice for the victims and sterner punishment for the culprits.
While thousands of people had rallied to the emotional call given by parents of students at Vibgyor High on Saturday, Sunday brought about a flurry of activity across the City, with nonprofit organisations and concerned citizens coming together in a show of solidarity.
The day was punctuated by a bike rally, a protest and a candlelight vigil.
At the bike rally, which began as early as at 9 am, software professional Anusha Ravi’s was a conspicuous and vocal presence. Except for her, all participants rode Royal Enfield bikes. She took part with her scooty.
“I don’t feel safe in this City any more,” she said. “It has come to a point where all women must learn self-defence. This is my way of showing that all is not well and something needs to be done, fast and quick.”
Organised by a band of bike riders who call themselves the ‘Royal Indian Enfield Owners’ Club’, the ‘Save Our Sisters’ rally was attended by a cross-section of people.
Vijay Iyer and his wife Neha have been living in the City for the last three years. Neha said the incidents had shaken her up.
“Now, I think twice about going alone and even if I am alone my husband regularly calls me up to ensure that I am safe,” she said.
Vijay said the situation in Bangalore had become “somewhat like Delhi” where rapes and sexual assaults were reported everyday. “Security should be seriously beefed up,” he said.
The rally began at Cubbon Park before passing through such areas as Ulsoor and Indiranagar. Some 40-50 bikers took part.
At Freedom Park
At ‘The Red Brigade’ protest in Freedom Park, young ones like Aditya Singh, 12, were there to do their bit.
When Aditya first learnt about the rape of a minor girl in a Bangalore school, the first thing he asked his father was whether the culprits of such a heinous crime had been arrested.
He accompanied his father Naveen Singh to the protest venue. Singh felt that parents should watch schools and not just rely on the authorities.
“Frankly, I don’t know the security arrangements in my son’s school. This incident has made me realise that I should do my bit to ensure my child’s safety. I and other parents from my son’s school will meet the management soon to check this reality,” he said.
Organised by members of a Facebook group called, ‘Win Bangalore Back’, the protest was attended by a number of people — young and old alike.
With 17,500 members, the group has volunteers from IT professionals to homemakers.
The protesters held aloft placards, one of which read, “Roses are red, violets are blue, rapists rule the roost, the government has no clue”.
The message was clear and straight.
The government and the police should see the writing on the wall and act quickly to ensure the safety and security of women and children.
Another participant, Preethi Machani, is concerned not only for the safety of her daughter but also for her own.
Referring to the Frazer Town rape, Machani recalled her youth when she talked to friends outside her home late in the night, just like the 22-year-old victim did on that fateful night. Now, she is worried.
“I will think twice before doing that. We all don’t feel safe any more. So far as my daughter is concerned, I try not to leave her alone. But I don’t sugar coat her. Parents, schools and the authorities should all share the responsibility,” she said.
Candlelight vigil
Students of various colleges were not far behind in showing how shocked they feel at the recent rapes. Along with other citizens, they held a candlelight vigil outside Town Hall.
Holding the placards and dressed in black, the protestors demanded justice for the six-year-old victim.
Smrithi Harits, a student at PES Institute of Technology who spearheaded the protest, took two days to bring students under one roof.
“To bring in change, youth and citizens need to raise their voices. Till now we assumed that Bangalore is a safe place to live in,” she said. “But the recent incidents have forced us to change this perception.”
Manorama Kulkarni, who works at a private firm, concurred: “It’s not just on the streets or in schools that such incidents occur. Women are being exploited even at the workplaces, but these incidents go unheard. The government should hang the rapists.”
The protestors demanded that all schools have a counselling cell and instal security measures such as CCTV cameras, alarms, etc.
Asmita Shetty, a student at MES College, said the department of public instruction should train the teachers in counselling students who undergo such traumatic experiences.