As an Indian, today I'm ashamed of being an Indian.
Around 6 am today, I and my friend decided to go for a morning walk.
We decided that since we are out and that we have time, we should go pay a visit to the school building that has been dedicated as our CBSE exam center this year. It wasn't that far.
It was a bit dark till then, the sun hadn't come up yet.
We reached our destination, then decided to return. She (my friend) played songs on my phone on the way. And since it was a bit dark and the road was empty except for some vehicles, I started jiggling along with the beats.
Suddenly, I heard a bike coming towards us from behind. Just as I was about turn back;
*THUMP!*
I almost chocked. It hurt.
It took me a couple seconds to realise what just happened.
The man in the bike just tried to touch my breasts. And he succeeded.
Without a second thought, I ran behind the bike. Shouting; ‘you bloody bastard! Would you be able to do this to your mother or your sister? You shamless’.
He sped up his bike, and soon went out of sight.
I was still running. I knew it wasn't possible for me to catch him but I kept running. Tears rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't see anything. My vision blurred due to the tears.
I didn't realise I had left my friend behind. After a long run, I stopped. Turned back and saw her running towards me.
She reached and hugged me tight. I cried louder. My chest hurt.
All the way back to my hostel I kept asking her,
‘What did I do wrong to ? I have never harmed him or anyone, why did he do this to me?’ She couldn't answer.
I kept sobbing. I couldn't control.
It wasn't of guilt, but tears of anger. He did such a thing and escaped. And this escape will boost him more for continuing his ill deeds. It scares me to death, thinking what else could have happened or what else he possibly can do.
NO ONE IS BLOODY SAFE.
Today, for the very first time I was ashamed, ashamed of being an Indian.
Edit- for people commenting on how I should have noted down the bike no.
-I thought of it, but as I already mentioned, it was a bit dark. I couldn't see the numbers.
And for people commenting on how the whole nation shouldn't be blamed for an act of a single moron.
-First of all I never blamed the whole nation. NEVER.
Secondly, at that instant all that I felt was anger and shame. And I shared it.
Thirdly, if I felt ashamed then I did. I'm not changing anything from my answer.
Lastly, it's easy to question and comment, but try putting yourself in my shoes, in this case there was nothing to be not ashamed of.
A comment to be highlighted
Almost everyone is assuming this person to be a male, but actually it's a ‘she’.
My reply-
It is even more shameful how people like them fail to see the real issue.
The problem isn't in the dress, but the mentality they wear.
-Toyum.
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