Molested by redBus Driver, Woman Appeals: Make Travel Safer for Women

Women molested by a redBus driver

The place where idols of women are worshipped as Devi or goddess is the place which stands on the fourth rank as ‘the most dangerous country for women’. Irony strikes hard. Praised as the largest democracy in the world, India, globally, presents the biggest examples of rapes, eve teasing, and other evils against women. According to HMNCRB (Home Ministry’s National Crime Records Bureau), every 26 minutes a woman is molested. Now, women are not safe even while using services from most reputed startups in India like redBus.

Rashmi Bachani, a UI developer from Bengaluru, faced the shameful act of molestation when she boarded a bus via redBus. Rashmi was sleeping on the upper berth when the driver of the bus tried to ‘grab’ her. In her words, “The driver felt I was up for “grabs”, so to speak.” redBus is an online portal through which people can book buses, and apparently, is expected as a ‘safe’ option considering the prizes it has won and the safety features for women it promises. But, is installing CCTV cameras or showing the ratings and reviews of other passengers can be considered a bus ‘safe’ for women? No, it cannot. 

Ratings work rather differently. A 5 star rated ‘product’ sometimes have 6 out of 10 negative reviews, and it is no guarantee that the people who voted or posted ‘good reviews’ are authentic. Even if some of them are, how could they be taken into account for the safety of other individuals? 

The problem faced by Rashmi disagree to agree with all the ‘ratings and reviews’ and nullify them to be considered as the positive security features. When Rashmi tried to convey her suggestions to the redBus, she was dismissed saying that an ‘attempt’ will be made to implement the suggestions she has made; though, none measures are taken so far.

The Petition

Two days ago, after receiving no help from redBus for months, she chose the path of law and filed a petition against the company on the site change.org. Change.org is a site where people can file petitions, which are looked upon by high ranks of decision makers, organisations and media. Rashmi, on her petition, till now over 28,000 supporters and the numbers are rising rapidly. If you want to support Rashmi, you can go to the petition and extend your support.

  Women Molested By Redbus Driver 

Her fight for making the transportation system more transparent for the safety of women is supported by many. She has made ‘action points’ which could emerge out to be helpful. 

Some of those points are: 

*redBus must register background verification of the whole staff (drivers, conductors included) on the website* Employee ID’s with the list of drivers and staff must be available on the website. 

*The estimated time the bus would take to reach its destination and its stopping places

*24x7 helpline number in case of harassment issues.

*List of complaints that the passengers are invited to raise - Rash Driving, Drunk Driving, Misbehaviour, Harassment including Sexual Harassment - this indicates that the complaint will be taken seriously and the numbers are not there for formality only, which often get ignored. 

Travelling alone for a girl is reaching to the point of taboo in India, as they fall an easy prey to the eve-teasers and rapists. Delhi is notorious as the ‘rape’ capital of India, and it is a pity that no girl in the whole country can say, “I’ve never been teased or molested.” 

Despite from the so-called ‘feminist’ movement raving across the country, and many documentaries, ads, and such other things emerging out in favour as well, the condition of women has not fluctuated to good. Even the measures which are taken by the government to prevent such mishappenings are turning out nugatory against the crime. 

While travelling, women take a lot into consideration, from which transport to choose to which route will be safer. But, these measures falter when you’re, literally, putting your life in the hands of the driver, who in turn, commit such disgraceful acts. 

Things need to be changed, and change doesn’t come suddenly. It is a gradual process, which demands strength, patriotism, will, and truth. We hope to see the ‘incredible India’ be incredible for women. Women are the backbone of society, and disgracing her will lead to the path of destruction. Let’s support Rashmi in her fight, and see the changes done.

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