Women Report Sexual Harassment During Protests in Delhi: Call for Accountability

Protests in Delhi on October 10 faced significant hurdles as the Delhi Police employed heavy barricades to prevent demonstrators from gathering at their intended location, Jantar Mantar. In response to the police’s restrictions, Neha Bora, the president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), a Left-wing student organization, took to social media platform X to announce a shift in strategy, proclaiming, “Dilli Haat becomes Jantar Mantar today!” This rallying cry saw a considerable turnout of students and activists who marched towards the popular open-air market in South Delhi, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

As the group neared a flyover, tensions escalated. Bora, who was leading the march, suddenly dashed forward in an attempt to breach the police barricades, only to be confronted by a male police officer. In a disturbing incident, the officer’s hands made contact with Bora’s chest as he sought to halt her progress. Eyewitness Anjali, a fellow Delhi University student and AISA member, recounted the moment, stating she was only ten steps behind Bora. Videos of the altercation captured the chaos as onlookers shouted in protest against the officer’s actions.

Following the incident, the policeman seemed to recognize Bora’s identity and folded his hands in apology, indicating a possible awareness of the public scrutiny surrounding the event. Anjali remarked, “He must have realized that it is Neha Bora. Otherwise, in every other incident, we have only seen smirks and total impunity on the police’s faces.” This troubling behavior reflects a broader issue of police conduct during protests, particularly concerning the treatment of female demonstrators.

Furthermore, Anjali highlighted the absence of female police officers during the altercation, raising concerns about the appropriateness of handling such situations, especially when involving women. The lack of female representation in law enforcement during these high-stakes scenarios is alarming and points to a need for better training and protocols to protect the rights and safety of all individuals, especially women, in protest situations.

The protests, aimed at holding the electoral body accountable, have sparked a conversation about the need for reforms within the police force as well as the treatment of protesters. As incidents like this come to light, they underscore the challenges faced by women in asserting their rights within a politically charged environment. Activists stress that it is crucial for law enforcement to ensure safety and respect for all individuals, particularly in the context of demonstrations.

Source: scroll.in