IF YOU are a Mumbaikar and feel you are safe, its time for you to reconsider. The shocking incident in which two women were molested by a mob of 70 or 80 men for about 15 minutes on the streets of Mumbai on New Year’s Eve has angered the nation. The mishap occurred in front of JW Marriot Hotel near Juhu Road and was cold-shouldered by the police. The crime was caught on camera by two Hindustan Times lensmen who later reported the matter to the police. The police recorded their statements as witnesses and said that they would register a suo moto complaint.  

 

The comments of the Mumbai police commissioner, DN Jadhav further enraged the people: “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Keep your wives at home if you want them safe. This kind of small things can happen anywhere”.

 

The two women, one in a black dress and the other in jeans and a top came out of JW Marriot hotel, a popular landmark in Mumbai, around 1:45 am with two male friends and started walking towards Juhu beach. They were trapped by a mob of about 40 men; the mob began to tease them openly. The strength of the mob soon rose to 70-80; it pounced on the women and tore the black dress worn by one of them and assaulted her for about 15 minutes fearlessly.

 

In India where women are respected and looked upon as Goddesses, how could such an incident happen? According to Jadhav, “We cannot protect everyone. This can happen every year. One cannot blame the police for such incidents.”

 

Samit Trikha, a bank manager says, “I feel the police cannot protect each and every citizen. Many times women also provoke men and it leads to such unfortunate incidents.” 

 

Due to the pressure exerted by the media, a case of molestation has been registered under section 354 at the Juhu police station. The two girls are not from Mumbai but action will be taken against those who carried out this heinous act.

 

Kirti Mittal, businesswoman says, “It is a shame on the Indian legal system and Mumbai police that has such views. They mustn’t blame the victims just to cover their own flaws. The police commissioner can afford to say such things because the wives and daughters of these people get additional security even if they have to go and shop but what about the common man? How far is it justified to say that the common man should keep his wives inside to protect their honour?”

 

Aarti Sharma, designer says, “It was a shameful act of dishonour that was carried out in Mumbai. It is indeed the insult of every woman in India. This has once again brought to light the savage ways of men who care about nothing but lust when it comes to women.”

 

The Mumbai police recently claimed that they had left no stone unturned in ensuring that the city was safe for women. This incident has surely shattered these claims. And this is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Mumbai. Exactly a year back, a girl was molested on New Year’s Eve at the Gateway of India and was captured on film by a popular Mumbai tabloid. 

 

Arjun Ghai, executive with an MNC says, “The act was shameful but the attitude of the police in this regard is even worse. If MF Hussain puts up his paintings or a Hollywood star kisses a Bollywood actress, the Shiv Sainiks come to life, but what about such cases? It is the people of our great nation who need to be blamed. I am sure those who were involved in this gruesome act had sisters and wives sitting at home. Did they think about them even for an instance? No wonder we are living among vultures ready to pounce on the flesh of vulnerable women at the drop of a hat.”

 

Mira Sud, boutique owner opines, “I heard someone say that the girls might have been drunk or led the guys on. This is absolutely crazy. In a nation like ours where we worship Sita and Laxmi, people tend to lose their moral sense at times. Claiming that a woman might have been drunk is no reason or excuse. What about those instances where the men get drunk and pounce on women? Nobody blames them. In this male-dominated society of ours, we tend to blame the female gender without even considering the situation.”

 

Shreya Mohta, educationist says, “Women must rely on self defence rather than the police. India has ample laws to safeguard the rights of women but their implementation is what needs attention. Such acts of dishonour are dismissed in our country. Thanks to the authorities, no woman is safe in this land and this is a glaring fact that has been voiced out loud this New Year’s Eve.”

 

The act of molestation carried out on the streets of Mumbai has women’s organizations and citizens screaming ‘Shame on you Mumbai’. No matter how bad the going gets, no woman deserves such treatment on the roads of our country or anywhere else in the world. We still call ourselves civilised human beings despite behaving like mean rogues with an uncontrollable appetite for lust.