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There has been a marked rise in crime rates on deserted roads after the drive to clear the footpaths of Mumbai of hawkers. The latter, considered an eyesore by the powers that be, are an important strand in the city’s safety net
The city of dreams. The city that never sleeps. The financial capital of India. A city perceived by most people as safe. This, despite its long history of gang wars and the almost legendary underworld. Is it really so? Mumbai's women have always worked along with their menfolk, not only among the original feisty fisher-folk, but also in every industry that has come up since then. It is, therefore, not an oddity having women out on the streets till late at night. There is an excellent public transport system — the trains running mostly north-south are the city's lifeline, along with the intricate network of BEST buses, with their designated areas for women and senior citizens. Taxi and autorickshaw drivers usually do not refuse to ply to a place you want to go to, unlike in many other places. Markets are open till late in the night, and along with the many eateries make for vibrant and safe public places that are usually well lit. Shops are seen even in residential areas, and this makes it easy and safe to go to for essentials. Despite all this, there are many problems. Slums. Dharavi. They are an integral part of Mumbai, and contain within them a large poverty ridden, and migrant population - this can be fertile ground for criminal activities of all kinds. Contrarily, cleaning up slums and creating better housing for these people leads to a decrease in the perception of safety for the slum-dwellers themselves, as the slums work in much the same way as the older chawls - the residents watching out for each other. The very crowds that provide a net of safety also become places where crimes like theft, violence, and molestation occur. This danger rises exponentially during communally celebrated festivals like New Year's Eve, Holi, Ganesha and Krishna Janmashtami. Stepping out of home is absolutely foolhardy. Women in particular, often cope with the danger in crowds by holding their belongings close to the chest, hurrying on their way home, dodging or elbowing potential molesters in crowds, even carrying a pepper spray, or delivering a well-placed whack with an umbrella. Despite the work ethic of Mumbai, mind-sets really need to change. People also shy away from helping a victim. It could be apathy as technology makes for a greater disconnect between individuals. It could be fear of becoming one of the victims. It could be a distrust in the police and the judicial system — born of sloppy implementation of the law, tardiness of justice, frequent victimisation of witnesses, and widespread corruption that often protects a powerful and influential
perpetrator.
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People on the road often function as the eyes and ears that might deter many criminals. There has been a marked rise in crime rates on deserted roads after the drive to clear the footpaths of Mumbai of its hawkers - considered an eyesore by the powers that be, but an important cog in the machinery of safety. It was earlier quite safe to go shopping in the famed Fort area even late in the evening, an activity that is fraught with danger now that the hawkers are no longer there.