It was a Sunday when the phone rang with devastating news. A sudden call from her in-laws informed the couple that her grandfather-in-law had passed away. Without wasting a moment, the woman and her husband boarded a bus from Delhi to Kanpur, hoping to reach the family as soon as possible.
The bus was comfortable and largely empty. Seeing the vacant seats, her husband suggested sitting in the seat ahead so she could stretch out and rest. About fifteen minutes after leaving the bus stand, the lights were switched off. It was a cold January night, heavy with fog, and darkness swallowed both the road outside and the bus interior.
Grief weighed heavily on her mind. As other passengers drifted into sleep, she lay down, half-awake, remembering tender moments shared with her grandfather-in-law. That is when she felt something strange, a creeping sensation against her body.
Drowsy and confused, she initially ignored it, changing positions several times. The feeling did not stop. Fear set in. She wondered if it could be an insect or even a snake. Using her phone’s dim light, she checked the seat but saw nothing unusual.
Trying to calm herself, she lay down again. Moments later, the sensation returned. This time, she sat up immediately and sensed movement from the man seated directly behind her. Doubt turned into suspicion, was he deliberately touching her?
She told her husband what had happened. He reassured her, saying, “It could be your imagination. Try to sleep.” Trusting him, she returned to her seat, but stayed fully alert.
Soon enough, it happened again. This time, she grabbed the hand that had slipped through the gap between the seats and was touching her waist and back. She held onto his finger tightly, but he jerked his hand away.
Anger replaced fear. When she told her husband again, he suggested she switch seats. But for her, this was no longer about discomfort, it was about dignity.
Without overthinking, she turned around and confronted the man, hitting him in the darkness. Her screams alerted others. The driver stopped the bus and switched on the lights. The truth was now visible. Her husband realised she had been telling the truth and joined others in restraining the man.
What shocked her most was his appearance. He looked educated, well-dressed, and employed, someone society would label ‘respectable’.
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At the insistence of passengers and the driver, the man was forced off the bus. The journey continued, but the fear and anger lingered long after.
This is the real story of Radha Gupta from Kanpur. Like Radha, countless women face sexual harassment on public transport every day. Many remain silent due to fear, shame, or social pressure. Radha chose to speak up, and fight back.
Such incidents remind us that silence empowers offenders. Speaking up, seeking help, and standing one’s ground are crucial acts of self-respect.
This is not just one woman’s story, it reflects a larger truth about women’s safety in public spaces. Radha’s courage sends a clear message: staying silent is not the solution. Vigilance, voice, and timely action can make all the difference.
If you have experienced something similar, you can share your story with us at [email protected].
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Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
Image Courtesy: Freepik
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