Dark Alleys

Yesterday, after shopping at H&M at Express Avenue Mall, I thought I’ll check out ThakurDas Choithram. It was 8 minutes away by walk, and on the main mount road. So off I headed, towards there. However, once I took the right towards LIC, on the mount road, it was almost like it was a different zone. It was darker. Only handicraft stores were there, and much emptier. I was feeling quite a bit uncomfortable walking there, though it said it was just a 3 minute walk away.

I found the shop, and understandably, I didn’t like it very much.

It wasn’t well lit, it didn’t have air-conditioning working and it was after a lonely walk. That was enough to put me off, though they had rolls and rolls of gorgeous fabric, which I normally love to browse through. I left  quickly without buying anything.

It was just 7:00 pm. Not even late in the night.

It wasn’t a pleasant experience.

You know what the funny part is? I didn’t tell this to my boy friend yesterday, because I knew he’d not be happy with me walking alone in dark places – even if it’s in the main road. Just like the time when a guy on the road who was coming in the wrong way (on a motorbike), picked a fight with me (in a car) for his mistake. That guy, within minutes had 2 others speaking up for him, and questioning my driving skills, and giving nothing but support to the one who was clearly in the wrong. If it had been a guy driving the car, they would have decently apologized and the matter would have ended. They wouldn’t have had to be insulted loudly on the road, like I was.

My boyfriend’s reservations are  justified though, just like my instinctive fears. Fears I’ve not felt while walking through darker alleys, later in the evening, in other countries. Anyone who knows Chennai’s mount road would know that I’m not even close to talking about actual darkness, just darker as opposed to well lit, crowded locations.

The society here, the environment is just not supportive or conducive for women.

Physical and sexual violences against women are becoming increasingly common – and the victimization is starting from younger and younger ages – as my friend and I were talking yesterday. We agreed that sexual violences are not restricted to India. Far from. It is prevalent in most countries. 

What makes in worse for India though?

The focus is on the crime, how it was committed, where and why. There is even focus on the medical injuries that ensued. But there is little to no focus on the justice doled out to the instigators, to the assaulters, on the rapists or those who rag. The punishment is not clearly advertised. In many cases, it is not given till too late.

The excessive focus on the crimes, and the minimal focus on the justice system they have deal with is making such violences popular for all the wrong reason. Those are the real dark alleys now. Alleys which need to be better lit up.

This is not just the fault of the justice system. 

The media has an essential role in this as well.

News channels need to sensationalize the justice when it is given out, and also make more shows about how such evil doers are hunted down by the police. It’s the justice system that needs to be brought to the spot light to reduce the violences.

When will women safely walk where men walk?

When the figurative alleys are well lit as required.