The alleged molestation and attack on two young women hailing from Assam and Nagaland in Delhi’s Nehru Place again brings to the fore the very real fears, concerns and experiences of comfort, security and dignity of people from North-East India in the national capital. The incident, which allegedly involved harassment, beating and alleged police apathy, highlights a larger culture of discrimination and insecurity that bounds the North East outside the region.
Allegedly the two women were attending tea with seven men after their night shifts and started with lewd catcalling. Later on the verbal abuse turned into a physical fight.
Based on one the victims, the men slapped her partner, beat them up, touched their bodies and tore their clothes in front of the spectators who refused to help but took videos of the incident. What is more alarming about the case is this fact that the victims themselves claimed to having experienced a casual apathetic attitude of the police. The women activists who fought the case said that the women had rushed to the police station as soon as they could but there was a hesitation on part of the police in registering the FIR. That activists who fought the case also claimed that the victims did not get proper assistance in the beginning.
A Familiar Pattern of Discrimination
But for many people from North-east India, such experiences are not unique. During the period of Indian nation-building, Indians from the North-east have consistently been targets of stereotyping leering, harassment and violence, mainly in the metropolises, like Delhi. Most women from North-East are ‘differentiated’ through such racist stereotypes against body features and lifestyle and identity. Organized human rights activists and student bodies have been claiming that North Eastern people are often branded as ‘aliens’ despite in reality they are Indian citizens. The murder of Nido Tania in Delhi in 2014 sparked nationwide outrage and brought to the fore prevalent racism against Northeasterners. Yet, even years on most people feel, not much has changed at a fundamental level.
The recent attack further illustrates the plight of working women in urban India, Mostly women working in night shifts and service sector jobs. Victims, came out just to have tea after work, were apparently targeted and beaten up by the accused within ten minutes. What is most worrying about incidents like this is not just the attack but the acceptance of it all. There have been reports that eyewitnesses stood around filming the attack rather than helping, showing how people are becoming immune to these kinds of violence to women. The further exacerbation of the women in being followed and harassed after the police call into question the issues of Iibid. and the prevention of criminal conduct. Policing Under Question
Question for Justice Still Unanswered
Once again, the allegations against Delhi Police have once again raised questions about accountability of law enforcement. It has been alleged that the police first did not register an FIR under pressure from the media and appeared unresponsive in a situation requiring urgent action, despite the gravity of the charges. If it is the case, a sense of institutional apathy can aggravate already existing distrust, Mainly among minority communities made In particular insecure and discriminated against. The impact of the incident in instilling fear is also evident from Really the victims had to be further escorted when they left. People have also pointed out that the north eastern cases often do not attract the same kind of urgency or national attention as other such high-profile cases from Delhi.
This skepticism towards the response of the state only builds on the sense of alienation experienced by members of the North east communities residing in Indian state capitals. Nehru Place is not just about one felonious event. This is also about the larger failings of women’s safety racism urban policing and the social attitude we have towards the deprived. No matter how many time the government promotes women empowerment and national integration; the ugly reality is that news of Northeastern citizen’s harassment are regurlarly visible. The delusion is not easy to believe.
The Question of Accountability
For many in the Northeast, these interactions reinforce the sense that the region is politically part of India but its residents But face social segregation and discrimination in mainstream urban society. Without prompt justice at the hands of authorities, more effective policing, and increased accountability for racism, one can only imagine how much further relationships between the Northeastern community and the state government will suffer. So the assault on the women in Delhi is not just another article of crime, no matter how serious. It should be lead to reflection on whether India’s cities are genuinely such a safe haven to all citizens of the countrycutting across state, regional and racial boundaries.
