Oh Kolkata!

The rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata mocks at the face of once women-revering city, but one must still pin their hopes on the youth who are making their voices heard

- SUTAPA MUKHERJEE

On this Independence Day, the irony of our freedom rings hollow. While we celebrate sovereignty, women continue to be bound by fear.

I clearly remember an incident when I was travelling with my father on a public bus. We were in Kolkata; I was pursuing my higher studies, and I was in my late 20ies (in the early nineties). Suddenly before I got off, a man’s hand reached out and I felt a terrible pinch. Almost as a reflex action, I turned around and slapped him before getting off. While Baba was most perplexed seeing the way I acted, I saw the other bus travellers holding the culprit by his collar and taking him to task. The bus moved ahead. I explained to my father what had happened. His calm reply, “You shouldn’t have done that. What if the man had acted worse?” My prompt reply, “Baba, I could do this only because we are in Kolkata, and not in any other city.” Yes, I was then super proud of how women were treated in Kolkata. People respected us. And they would do anything to save us from lusty looks or groping hands.