Bengaluru: Bengaluru, considered a symbol of technology and progress, is once again under question regarding the safety of women. Late night on April 4, a shameful incident in BTM Layout area shocked everyone. A miscreant tried to molest one of the two girls walking on the road, and the entire incident was captured on CCTV. This video going viral on social media has once again exposed the bitter truth of increasing insecurity in the society.
Shadow of fear on the road at night
CCTV footage clearly shows that at around 1:52 am, two girls were passing through a deserted street in BTM Layout. Then a man came running towards them and caught one girl from behind. He tried to molest her, due to which both the girls started screaming out of fear. The accused ran away as soon as he heard their voice. This incident may have lasted for a few moments, but the fear hidden behind it can remain in the minds of women for a long time.

Viral video and people’s anger

The video of this incident was shared by user
@deadripper07
on social media platform X. Along with the video, he wrote, “What is happening in the city? Women are not safe from these molesters.” It is clearly visible in the video that the accused moves quickly towards the girls and then runs away after hearing their screams. After this post, users expressed anger and raised questions. One user wrote, “Why are such incidents not stopping despite the law?” At the same time, another commented, “When will the fear of sisters and daughters on the streets at night end?”

Police action started

The Bengaluru Police has taken suo motu cognizance of this viral video. A senior police officer said, “We came to know about this incident through social media. The victim girls have not yet lodged any formal complaint, but we have registered a case on our own and started investigation.” The officer further said that efforts are being made to identify the accused on the basis of CCTV footage. However, the suspect has not been identified yet.

Questions on women’s safety

This incident is not the first time. News of molestation and harassment of women late at night across the country make headlines every day. In a metropolis like Bengaluru, where women go out freely for jobs and studies, such incidents raise questions on their freedom. Social activist Ranjana Kumari says, “If women are not safe on the streets despite strict laws and police presence, then it is a failure of the system. We need to bring about change at the grassroots level.”

Issue of debate in society

This video has sparked a debate on social media. Some people are considering it as evidence of increasing insecurity in the city, while some are praising the promptness of the police. A local resident Priya Shetty said, “I myself am afraid to go out alone at night. This incident is a warning for every girl.” At the same time, some people believe that awareness as well as strict punishment is necessary to prevent such incidents.

What next?
This incident is not limited to just one video, but it brings forth a big question of women’s safety. Are the roads now becoming a cause of danger for sisters and daughters? The investigation by Bengaluru Police is expected to catch the accused soon, but until then this viral footage will keep showing the mirror to the society. Experts say that to prevent such incidents, it is necessary to increase surveillance as well as instill a sense of morality and responsibility in people.
At present, this video is intensifying the debate on women’s safety not only in Bengaluru but in the entire country. The question remains the same old one—how long will women have to live in the shadow of fear in the dark of night?