After Ola nightmare in Bangalore, is women’s self defense the need of the hour?

A journalist in Bangalore finishes her work, as usual later than many folks, and plans to take a cab home.

She’s looking forward to return and relax at home after a long day’s work.

The Ola cab that’s assigned to her arrives at her office gate but soon the ride turns into a nightmare.

The journalist suddenly noticed her cab driver behaving funnily. Much to her horror she found that he was masturbating while driving her through some dark streets.

There was nobody around and the cab was on the move. As she described in a Tweet directed to Ola and BLR Police ” In a city that I call home made me feel extremely unsafe today. Took an  @Olacabs around the usual time after work only to be with a driver who had the audacity to think he could masterbate in front of me. He kept at it thinking I hadn’t noticed and kept at it.”

She managed to ask the man to stop and got out immediately and took another cab home without incident.

But, what if it had been worse?

In a country like India where women are conditioned to fear, and men taught to be strong, predators often prey out in the open.

Counsellor Kaushalya Raju says there are several factors that prompt such actions, besides broken families and the conditioned image of women being helpless. ” One must keep in mind that from the time you are getting in, the cab driver has his eyes on you. He is noticing you and your actions and behaviour. He can tell when the rider is vulnerable especially if they are unaware and he has them under observation.”

She highlights the importance of being alert throughout the cab ride and not just by being on the phone.

This point is basic when one learns self defence but in a country where women are conditioned and still inspired with fear, it poses more of a challenge.

This recent case has only strengthened the need for women and girls to be taught basic awareness and self defence. This includes being on high alert especially when travelling alone and going through dark, lonely streets.

PSI of Amruthahalli Police Station Vindya Rathod says parents must take the onus of training their daughters besides encouraging them to report such cases when and as they happen. She adds that fear and stigma often stop people, further adding fuel to this menacing fire.

The Suraksha APP of the BLR City Police is much needed for incidents like this. ”This app allows us to track you down the minute an alert is sent. If in unfortunate circumstances we are unable to stop the action itself, we can still nab the culprit,” adds Vindya.

The app alerts the closest police unit by sending an emergency alert along with a quick video. Your location data will be periodically updated so that police can use this to respond quickly, usually taking a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of six minutes.

The Suraksha app also asks you to add two contact details while registering.

PSI Vindya says this is extremely useful as additional support could arrive in times of grave danger. She adds that a general caution must always exist, regardless of the time or place. It is one’s basic duty to the self.

Counsellor Kaushalya Raju adds that victim shaming as well as damage to reputation stops many women from coming ahead to complain. She stresses on the need for companies such as Ola to take stringent action.

She also speaks of breaking out of the loop of helplessness by vowing to protect ourselves in the smallest of ways.

The solution, both women agree, is also to take responsibility of one’s safety while going out which includes making a phone call or immediately sending the name and cab number of the driver to acquaintances.

A frequent cab user who wishes not to be named suggests pretending to be on a call and mentioning the name and number of the cab aloud.

The Counsellor says the child lock, located below the handle near the passenger seat, should be in a deactivated position in case there is no other option but to flee.

PSI Vindya says the police have made every effort to create awareness about the Suraksha App among educational institutes and working women and urges them to use it to the fullest.

Note: If you have faced any incident of harassment or abuse, please do not think twice to reach out for help. It is not your fault, but we also urge you to remain alert and cautious.

By Maria Kuruvilla