The nation is still reeling from the Minar-e-Pakistan incident of ‘mass groping’ on Independence Day. To add to our horror and outrage, another video of ‘mass harassment’ has surfaced online.
Naturally, Netizens are outraged by the growing blatant brutality towards women in the country.
In the video, two women are seated with a child, at the back of a Qingqi rickshaw somewhere in a busy street in Pakistan. Men are seen hounding the rickshaw, catcalling, and leering at the women, while multiple people film the incident.
One man even jumps onto the rickshaw, and forcibly kisses the woman. The terrified victim and the woman beside her scream but no one intervenes.
That’s when one of the women takes off her slipper and threatens to hit a motorcyclist with it. The woman who was harassed, at one point in time, gets extremely upset and tries to leave the rickshaw in despair but is stopped from doing so by her companion.
It is speculated that this incident is also in Lahore, based on the footage of the streets. In the footage the rickshaw was surrounded by men in cars and motorcycles carrying the national flag. This indicates that this incident of harassment also took place during Independence Day celebrations.
Angered Netizens are demanding that the government take strict action against sexual harassers and such incidents of mass harassment.
Given the fact that the Minar-e-Pakistan incident’s victim, Aisha Akram is a TikToker, is being used for victim shaming, one Netizen asked what excuse do sexual assault apologists have in this case?
“Where are ALL those men and women who were spitting hate in a Space last night??? Are these women TiKTokers too?? What did they do to invite such behaviour?? Are women safe? Is anyone listening?”
Where are ALL those men and women who were spitting hate in a Space last night??? Are these women TiKTokers too?? What did they do to invite such behavior?? Are women safe? Is anyone listening? 😡😡https://t.co/y3zqmHzGLv
— Asma Ali Zain (@asmaalizain) August 20, 2021
One man pointed out how this is so deep rooted in Pakistani society that a cultural shift is required.
“Thousands r harrased on daily basis. From elite class to these bhukhars all r involved. There is not even a question abt this. Aren’t women being harassed in offices. Unis. Colleges markets. Everywhere. Even inside Haram Sharif too.”
'Only harassers deny harassment' https://t.co/ml97IVYgWV
— Shamila Ghyas (@ShamilaGhyas) August 20, 2021
All the outrage online prompted authorities to take action. Inspector General(IG) of Punjab Police has demanded a report from Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore in this regard. Using safe city security cameras the police are trying to identify and arrest some of the harassers that also committed assault and battery.
آئی جی پنجاب نے سی سی پی او لاہور سے اس واقعہ کی رپورٹ طلب کی ہے اور سیف سٹی کیمروں کی مدد سے ملزم کو شناخت کر کے گرفتار کرنے کے احکامات جاری کر چکے ہیں#PunjabPolice #LahoreIncident pic.twitter.com/5kdGkNJF98
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) August 20, 2021
Do you think predators are more emboldened to be instigating such incidents of mass harassment? Or has social media just drawn light to a pre-existing problem? Let us know in the comments below.
