It is disconcerting the way the capital of India, New Delhi, is handling some problems faced by women during their daily public interactions. The message that Delhi is sending out is that women need to be segregated or given a defined ‘safe space’ to avoid the prying eyes of some perverted men. This is not only turning the clock backward, but is also an attempt to hide the administration’s failure to discharge its responsibilities towards providing a safe environment for women. The failure to curb harassment of women in public spaces is a poor reflection on the efficiency of the law enforcing agencies.
Instead of acting more effectively, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to take the easy option of proposing to open ‘Women Only Pink Parks’ where entry of men will be prohibited. All 250 Wards under MCD will soon get these Pink Parks to provide a ‘more comfortable space’ to women in the national capital.
On the surface, this might look like a pro-women move, but it seems like an act of the government washing its hands off the responsibility of providing ‘comfortable space’ to women everywhere else. No matter which political party is getting this done. In this case it is not the predictable BJP but the so called liberal Aam Admi Party (AAP) of Kejriwal. Interestingly, this move has the potential to satisfy conservative Hindoos as well as radical Moslems who both seem disturbed by women’s equal position in society.
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The solution to women’s safety does not lie in taking away their liberty. Limiting women to isolated safe spaces is in itself an admission that all other spaces are unsafe and that society cannot provide free movement to women without compromising their safety. It is an admission that Indian society has become perverted beyond redemption and women better limit themselves to small spaces like Pink Parks in the company of only other women to feel comfortable.
At a time when the world has condemned the Taliban regime’s decision first to segregate parks for women and eventually ban women’s entry into parks, Delhi Municipality’s Pink Parks decision seems to be going in the similar regressive direction. In the name of providing protection to women, the civic body is harking back the medieval idea that men and women cannot be present together in public places. On the other hand, millions of men and women of the country study in co-ed institutions and share workspaces. There have been numerous cases of women being subjected to harassment and obscenities both in educational institutions and in work sphere. But that does not mean women will have to suffer banishment from studies and work to keep them protected. Instead, those spaces will need to become safer for women by more responsible behavior by men. The seed of segregation never stops. It will eventually lead to compartmentalization and isolation in education, work space and social spaces, forcing women to bear the brunt of the fallout.
The issue of women feeling insecure in public spaces will need to be handled in a more responsible and sustainable manner. In another development, the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) authorities has decided to deploy 100 of its personnel in civilian clothes inside metro trains in a bid to crack down on acts of ‘nuisance’ and ‘obscene activities’ inside compartments. Along with DMRC and CISF officials, these police personnel will prosecute offenders on the spot and take further legal action. The decision followed complaints of some cases of nuisance, including masturbation by a depraved man inside the train recently. Another passenger was seen brushing his teeth in a compartment. The two videos went viral on social media prompting the metro railway to take the decision. However, more than obscenity, dancing, singing, taking photographs and making videos or reels in metro trains will henceforth be deemed an offence.
A country where police presence or policing is increased to keep a watch on citizens is undoubtedly heading towards an authoritarian regime. Especially who does not know the attitude of the Indian police and its outlook towards women in distress. Also, the behavior of the Army towards women in Manipur and other areas where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been in place is public knowledge. It may not be assumed that men in uniform are ‘safer’ or their presence in large numbers makes women feel ‘comfortable’ anywhere in India. If at all, it is an objectionable intrusion. All these steps seem to be leading towards a much more regressive and authoritarian society which is governed by laws that take away civil liberties and suppress citizens under the excuse of assurance of safety. Be it under the AAP or BJP rule, these steps do not bode well for the capital city as well as the entire nation.
