An alarming incident on the Mysore-Chennai Kaveri Express (16022) has spotlighted the persistent issue of women’s safety on Indian Railways. Tamil Nadu Congress OBC wing general secretary Dhivya Marunthiah and four companions faced harassment on November 24 when ten ticketless men occupied their reserved seats in the S1 compartment. Despite repeated requests, six men refused to leave, resorting to verbal abuse and threats, Dhivya told TNM.
The situation escalated as one of the men made a threatening call, summoning reinforcements at the next station. Attempts by a male passenger to mediate were met with further abuse. Dhivya pulled the emergency chain around 10:10 PM, but the responding Railway Police Force (RPF) officer dismissed her plea, captured in a video where he can be heard saying, “I can’t do anything.” The Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) was notably absent throughout the ordeal, which lasted over 90 minutes.
Repeated calls to railway and safety helplines yielded no tangible support, with Karnataka police allegedly dismissing her concerns and even attempting to record her conversation without consent. The situation intensified when the summoned men heckled Dhivya and her group through train windows, even in the presence of police.
Dhivya noted that such incidents are reportedly frequent on this route, particularly between Mysore and Bengaluru. She emphasized the broader implications of neglecting women’s safety on public transportation, stating, “This isn’t about language politics; it’s about basic security for women.”
Despite raising the issue on social media, Dhivya claims Indian Railways has yet to address the incident, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reforms.
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