Women are not safe anywhere – not even in their own neighbourhoods. Eve-teasing and sexual harassment have always been alarmingly common, making everyday tasks like walking on the streets a nightmare for many women. A young woman in Bengaluru had an experience that many can relate to, yet her response stood out. She didn’t stay silent. Instead, she took a brave stand.
Poornima Prabhu, a Bengaluru resident, shared her daughter’s story on X. Her daughter, who is in her 20s, was simply waiting to cross the road, not far from her home, when two young men on a bike started heckling her.
At first, her instinct was to walk away. But she didn’t give in to fear. She turned toward the bikers, shouted at them, and even ran toward them. Caught off guard, the boys sped off as if a “devil was pursuing them”.
Last week my 20+ daughter,was waiting to cross the road..about 800m from our home in #Bengaluru when 2 boys on a bike heckled her.Her 1st reaction was to walk away but then decided to take action.She shouted at them n ran towards them.They took off on the bike as if devil was 1/2
— Poornima Prabhu (@reader_wanderer) November 4, 2024
For those who might question her attire, Prabhu clarified that her daughter was in a long t-shirt with sleeves and ankle-length pants, giving a reminder that no one’s clothing is ever an invitation for harassment. The message here is clear – staying silent only encourages creeps.
pursuing them. ??
And before anyone asks, she was in a long t-shirt with sleeves and ankle length pants,so don’t question her attire.
Do not keep quiet,don’t let your silence encourage such creeps.
Am so proud of my girl,cos at her age I’d have looked down n walked away AFAP— Poornima Prabhu (@reader_wanderer) November 4, 2024
Several people online, especially women, lauded the brave girl for her action. While staying silent might help in ensuring one’s safety, it also normalizes such creepy behavior where men think that they can get away with anything.
so Ive done this way back in the 80s. kicked and punched fellows bothering us on buses. screamed back at hecklers.
generally i think we were a little more bold, or maybe the repercussions weren’t as bad as we are hearing now. but good on you for raising your daughter right!— Radhika (@rads) November 5, 2024
absolutely ma’am! keeping quiet doesn’t get us anywhere, it is about giving expression to the natural reaction that upsurges in such situations! kudos to your girl 🙂
— Naturally Sudhaish (@NaturallySudha) November 4, 2024
She is a badass ? very well done ?
— ℘ཞı ???♀️ (@priyank65601552) November 4, 2024
Brave girl. Admire her courage! ??
— Aditya P. Deshpande – आदित्य देशपांडे (@apdeshpand) November 4, 2024
Sending your daughter a warm ? hug and a huge pat of her back.
More power to her.
She made our tribe proud.— Mehnaz Amjad ? ✍️ (@Mehnaz_Amjad) November 5, 2024
Standing up to wrong acts can make a massive difference!