“I travel regularly by train and have come to make my voice heard because tomorrow, it should not be our sisters or mothers who have to live in fear of unsafe public spaces,” said a commuter from Tambaram at the Nungambakkam Railway Station on Sunday evening.
He was one among a small group of software professionals, family, friends as well as members of the general public who had assembled for a candlelight vigil in memory of S. Swathi, a 24-year-old IT professional who was murdered at the Nungambakkam station on Friday.
Candles were lit near benches in the station where the incident had taken place even as members of Swathi’s family held up her photo in remembrance.
Posters which stated “Are we deaf and dumb” were held up – raising questions about why the public did not attend to her body on the platform.
Members of the Knowledge Professional Forum, who organised the vigil, said that they were in solidarity with the family of Swathi and urged people not to speculate over the incident and indulge in character assassination.
“We are shocked by the fact that the body was on the platform for quite a while and that no one came forward to help despite trains continuing to ply and commuters present there. As a society, more sensitivity is needed and we hope that people step forward in such situations,” said Alagunambi Welkin, the president of the forum.
The forum further urged the installation of CCTV cameras across railway stations in the city for the security of thousands of commuters who use the service on a daily basis.
“I did not know her but had seen her several times in the station. What happened to Swathi is extremely unfortunate and we are shocked,” said Mahalakshmi, a management student and a resident of Choolaimedu.
A common demand among many of the women who were part of the vigil was enhanced safety measures in public places. “While women equipping ourselves and learning self-defence would be a small step towards protecting ourselves, society shouldn’t stay silent anymore on the evident lack of safety measures at key locations such as stations and bus stops,” said K. Girija, a resident of Madhavaram, who was at the vigil with her husband and young daughter.
A.P. Neelakantan, a senior citizen and resident of Thiruvanmiyur, who had come to participate in the candlelight vigil and extend solidarity, said that speedy justice was what was needed.
A few commuters as well, who had heard of the incident, saw the candlelight vigil and joined in to extend their solidarity.
Candles were lit
near benches in the station where the incident occurred
on Saturday
