Attack-hit Women Of Bangalore Vent Ire On The Web

[savramesh 37]

In the last few days, there have been at least five incidents of women being attacked on the streets of Bangalore. And not all have resulted in police complaints.

But after the Mangalore attacks, such details are doing the rounds in various e-mails and blogs.

"As the violence of the tugging increased, I hit out at an offending hand in self-defence that was trying to disrobe me. In response, he slapped me hard across my ear. Then they began trying to lift my top up while making references to 'pink chaddi'," said a post of one of the victims.

These incidents of violence against women in Karnataka have been condemned vehemently across the country. Joining them was BJP leader L K Advani on Saturday.

But a response is now beginning to gain force on the Internet also. There is a vocal group of people who are saying enough is enough on different online communities.

A few Bangaloreans have even come together to form a group called 'Fearless Karnataka' that intends to reclaim public spaces and promote safety.

"In order to look into the security of the people, we have created a group called Fearless Karnataka. We would be concentrating on making Bangalore streets safer for people to walk around whenever they want to. We also want to bring to the notice of the government and the police that what is happening in Karnataka is quite disturbing," said Jagadish, co-ordinator, Fearless Karnataka.

Though some of the women involved have filed police complaints, others - like the victims of Mangalore - have preferred to remain low profile. For them, it is safer to express anger and disgust on the Internet.

"What other space do women have? If women today are very apparent while complaining on the blogs and in cyberspace, isn't it upto the establishment to take some notice of that? Is that not some expression of what women are facing?" said Shakun, an activist of a group called Vimochana.

This kind of sexual harassment is sadly neither rare nor new on the city streets in India; in fact these are often even more violent. And with the public usually not stepping in to help and the police not always responsive, the Internet is looking like the best way for the attacked women to reach out.

Source NDTV

[Sadikk 301]

Its sad. Its no more country of gandhi.