Having lived in Delhi for 18 years and in Bangalore for six years, it is needless to say that a young woman’s safety is always in jeopardy.
I have also travelled frequently to Mumbai and Pune. In terms of safety for women, I would have vouched for Mumbai. But lately, I feel that that city too has become unsafe. In Bangalore, I regularly use public transport, even at 11 p.m., to return home. There have been times when autorickshaw drivers have tried charging more money, but I have not felt threatened or unsafe.
But I can’t even think of going out alone at night in Delhi. You will hardly see any woman out on the road at night. Even if women are out at night, they will be accompanied by someone they know. Instances of chain-snatching are common and even in the daytime, anything can happen. I cannot trust a man in Delhi. My friends usually carry pepper spray when they travel. Women have to constantly deal with leching, hooting and even groping.
Though I feel that Bangalore is safer compared to Delhi and Mumbai, the recent rape cases reported in the city are very upsetting. I was shocked because I did not expect this after coming to Bangalore from Delhi.
(As told to Vinayashree Jagadeesh)
