Bengaluru: A woman content creator has alleged that she was verbally harassed by a group of minors while running at Avalahalli Forest on the outskirts of the city, triggering a wider debate on women’s safety in public spaces and the need for early gender sensitisation among children.
Allegation shared on Instagram
The incident came to light after Ritika Suryavanshi, a Bengaluru-based content creator, shared a video on Instagram claiming that she was subjected to crude comments about her body by three boys while she was jogging in the Avalahalli Forest area. The video, which has since gained significant traction online, opens with a text overlay reading “harassed by kids.”
In the video, Suryavanshi stated that the incident occurred when she had completed her 5 km run and was walking towards the exit. She alleged that three boys, whom she estimated to be around 13 years old or younger, began making remarks about her body and laughing among themselves.
“I was shocked,” says woman
Reacting to the incident, Suryavanshi wrote in her post, “When girls are taught to cover up more than boys are taught to respect.” Speaking later about the episode, she said this was the first time she had experienced something like this during her runs in the area.
“No, never before. That’s why I was shocked,” she said, explaining that she initially chose to ignore the remarks but later decided to confront the boys. In the video, she questioned their behaviour, upbringing, and the environment in which they were being raised.
Decision not to record the minors
Several social media users suggested that she should have recorded the boys and shared the footage publicly to hold them accountable. Responding to one such comment, Suryavanshi explained why she chose not to do so.
“I really wanted to, but they weren’t even teenagers, and I didn’t want to put their faces on social media. Unki puri life abhi baaki hai (they have their whole life ahead of them), and social media can cause lifelong trauma,” she wrote, emphasising that her intention was to highlight the issue rather than shame the children.
Strong reactions on social media
The video sparked an outpouring of reactions, with many users expressing concern over the behaviour of minors and the broader social environment influencing them. One user commented, “Proud of you for standing up. Society pays more attention to teaching girls than boys. The hypocrisy.”
Another user shared a similar experience and pointed to systemic issues, writing, “It’s alarming how, beneath a surface that looks ‘normal,’ society is being shaped piece by piece without any real scrutiny. Not every family passes on the same values, and a large part of India remains unchecked, spreading hate and nonsense both online and offline.”
Several users also expressed sympathy, apologising to Suryavanshi for what she had to endure, while others called for better monitoring and safety measures in public recreational spaces.
Spotlight on safety in public spaces
The incident has renewed discussions around women’s safety in public areas such as parks, forest trails, and jogging tracks, which are increasingly being used by fitness enthusiasts. While such spaces are often promoted as safe and healthy environments, incidents of harassment—whether by adults or minors—raise concerns about supervision, awareness, and civic responsibility.
Experts and social commentators online stressed that inappropriate behaviour by minors often reflects a lack of early education on consent, respect, and gender equality. Many argued that addressing such behaviour at a young age is crucial to preventing more serious offences in the future.
Background of the content creator
Ritika Suryavanshi, who originally hails from Bihar, shared details of her professional journey while speaking about the incident. She said she moved from Bihar to the Delhi NCR region in 2018 to pursue her graduation and studied at Sharda University in Greater Noida.
She later worked in Gurgaon as a content specialist and video editor between March 2021 and January 2023. In April 2023, she joined a Dubai-based influencer marketing company as a senior marketing manager, a role she held until March 2024. She relocated to Bengaluru in April 2024 and began freelancing as a content creator, working with international clients in Dubai as well as Indian brands, which required her to travel frequently.
In March 2024, she said she left freelance assignments and began working full-time on building her own content platform.
Broader conversation on responsibility
While no police complaint has been reported so far, the incident has highlighted the importance of parental guidance, community awareness, and institutional responsibility in shaping respectful behaviour among children. Many users pointed out that the burden of safety should not fall solely on women, especially in spaces meant for health and recreation.
Conclusion
Though the incident did not escalate physically, it has triggered a strong public conversation on harassment, even when it comes from minors, and the urgent need for value-based education. The episode at Avalahalli Forest serves as a reminder that creating safer public spaces requires collective effort—from families, communities, and institutions alike.