Even after 78 years of India’s independence, the safety of women in public places remains a big problem. A recent incident in Hyderabad shows that women still face dangers while simply going about their daily lives.

On the evening of Independence Day, a 23-year-old woman who works at a coffee shop was heading home after finishing her shift. She took the metro and got off at the JBS Metro station around 7:40 PM. Because the road leading to the JBS bus stand was flooded due to heavy rain, she had to take a different path that was less crowded and not well-lit.

While walking on this path, an unknown man suddenly approached her from behind and grabbed her. The man behaved inappropriately, trying to harass her. However, the woman showed courage by screaming, which scared the man away. She quickly reported the incident to the Maredpally police station. The police have registered a case and are now trying to find the man who attacked her.

This incident reminds us that, even though our country has made progress in many areas, women’s safety in public places is still a serious issue. It shows the need for better street lighting, more police patrols, and other safety measures in areas where people might be vulnerable.

As a community, we need to work together to make sure women can move around freely and safely, without the fear of being harassed or attacked. Only then can we say that we are truly free.

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