Cry for safety

• I am a third-year engineering student. I travel by public bus everyday. I always make sure to sit on the ladies’ seat, but even that is not safe. On days I get the aisle seat, there are men who stand leaning and brushing against me. One evening, I was returning home from college in a packed bus when a man started leaning on me. But he didn’t stop at that. He put his hands in his trouser pockets and tried to grab my breast. I tried to push him away but he wouldn’t budge. It is only when I shouted “ektu shore daran” that he finally moved. Ever since, I am scared to sit by the aisle. I am always scared to travel alone be it any time of the day. But I have no choice.
BM

• Be it bus, train or auto, harassment is an everyday ordeal for girls. I was probably in Class IV when I started realising how nasty male commuters can be. But my worst experience came when I was in the second year of college. I would take an early-morning bus to college and always managed to get a seat. On one such ride, a tall man standing next to me started brushing against me. I shifted a little to avoid contact but he persisted. Somehow I couldn’t get myself to protest and silently waited for the ride to end. The next morning he was back again and up to the same mischief. On the third day, I had had enough and told him to move away, first softly and then at the top of my voice. My scream caught the attention of other passengers and the conductor, who turned to stare at him. He got off at the next stop and wasn’t back.
N

• It is unfortunate but true that every woman who travels by public transport has experienced harassment. We, women, often avoid a showdown in fear of humiliation. But these men need to be taught a lesson.
RP

• I was in Class XI. I was sitting next to the auto driver, who suddenly tried to lift my skirt. I stiffened and he removed his hand. But the humiliation was complete. I was too embarrassed to be vocal.
NB

• Show me one woman who hasn’t been harassed on public transport. We are not allowed such luxury. When we protest, people tell us to take care of ourselves, to dress properly. But I say some men out there need to take care of their mindset. I know we should fight, but is it possible to wage war every day? It is indeed taxing to grab people by their collars, scream at them and to keep straightening your school skirt. At 15, I know this is just the beginning. The dodging, swivelling, ogling, groping will go on as it always has. 
RP

• Predators are everywhere. Their sole motive is to harass the female commuter. In an auto, I try to sit on the outer side so that I can escape in case of an emergency. I avoid sitting in the middle if both my co-passengers are men as it requires a tiresome amount of vigilance not to get groped. In buses as well as in the Metro, I have regularly encountered men who head towards the ladies’ seat though the other side has ample space. The unfortunate part is that nobody supports you if you protest.
PB

• Being a man, the article on the plight of women commuters left me ashamed. Were My fellow citizens of Calcutta, please let us make these women proud of our city. Please help anyone you see in distress.
Aatif Ali