Woman recounts 3 incidents of harassment in Delhi, Noida in a single month. Viral thread

Women’s safety in urban India has come into the limelight recently. (Representational)

A journalist’s harrowing experience of sexual harassment in Noida has sparked outrage after she shared her ordeal on social media. Sonal Pateria detailed three recent incidents where she was harassed by strangers in different parts of Delhi-NCR.

In a series of tweets, Pateria recounted the first incident, which occurred near DLF Mall in Sector-18, Noida. A man riding on the back of a motorcycle crudely propositioned her, asking, "kya rate legi?" ("What's your rate?"). The incident was so sudden that the perpetrator did not even stop, leaving Pateria stunned and shaken.

The second incident happened last Sunday while Pateria was walking towards Sector-18 Metro station in the day. A man approached her, telling her that he stopped to talk because he found her attractive and wanted to see "if there was a chance" of something more. Pateria said she was not interested and walked away, calling a friend to stay on the phone with her until she reached safely.

In the third incident, which took place at Rajeev Chowk Metro station, a man approached her and asked for her phone number.

These incidents occurred within a single month. She expressed her frustration and fear, highlighting that such harassment is a daily reality for many women. "I'll not be defensive about what I was wearing or what the time was because none of that matters. What matters is that I and a lot of women like me live in constant fear. And we have no energy left to report each and every case," she wrote.

2. Last Sunday, I was walking towards Sector -18 Metro in broad daylight when a guy randomly came and said hello. I was not shocked, then I eased myself thinking that maybe he's a viewer of my journalistic work. But I was wrong. He said 'Don't be shocked. Please calm down'

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— Sonal Pateria (@SonalPateria) August 14, 2024

Noida Police, via their official X handle, replied that they have launched an investigation into the mall incident. The case has been assigned to the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police and a special team will be formed to investigate the matter. CCTV footage will be checked, they assured.

The thread has over four lakh views. Users on X sympathised with the woman and shared their experiences as well.

"If this is the condition in a metro town where educated people live, I can only imagine what's happening in more remote areas," one user commented.

Another noted, "It's deeply heartbreaking and shameful that we, as a society, have failed to protect our sisters."

Pateria later tweeted that she received a call from ACP Praveen Singh, who assured her that they are investigating the matter. However, she pointed out that the root cause of such harassment is more cultural than just a law and order issue. "Still, Noida Police took this case in their hands. Looking up for the action & updates," she added.

Women’s safety in urban India has come into the limelight recently after the brutal rape and murder of a post-doctoral medical student in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last week.