Bengaluru: In a courageous display of bravery, a young woman in her twenties confronted two men attempting to harass her while she was waiting to cross a road near her home in Bengaluru. The incident, which took place just 800 metres from her residence, has sparked widespread discussions about women’s safety and empowerment. Her mother, Poornima Prabhu, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her pride in her daughter’s bold actions.
Initially contemplating walking away, the young woman decided to take a stand. “She shouted at them and ran towards them. They sped off on their bike as if the devil was chasing them,” Prabhu recounted in her post. This confrontation occurred in their familiar neighbourhood, a place where Prabhu’s daughter believed she should feel safe to move freely. “I’m so proud of my girl because at her age, I’d have just looked down and walked away as quickly as possible,” she added, reflecting on the difference between their experiences.
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
Addressing potential criticisms about her daughter’s attire, Prabhu pointed out that her daughter was dressed appropriately in a long-sleeved T-shirt and ankle-length trousers. She encouraged other women to take a stand against harassment instead of remaining silent, saying, “Do not keep quiet, don’t let your silence encourage such creeps.” This message resonated with many, drawing support for the young woman’s courage in the face of harassment.
When questioned about any fears of retaliation, Prabhu reassured followers that she and her family had prepared her daughter to respond confidently while prioritising her safety. “Unless such people understand that girls are not going to take it silently, they will get emboldened even more,” she elaborated in her post.
Netizens React
One user on X shared her own story, “So I’ve done this way back in the 80s. I kicked and punched fellows bothering us on buses and 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!” Another added, “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 :)”
One user shared their view on how this situation could have played out differently and for worse: “Kudos, but too dangerous. They could’ve retaliated. I was coming back home on Diwali when there was a bunch of people in a car (seemed drunk) who tried to mess with us. With all the news about road rage incidents, it seemed best to just avoid and take a different route.”
