A woman traveling alone on the Vanchinad Express from Changanacherry to Ernakulam South on Sunday, March 15, shared a report of alleged “harassment”, raising concerns about the safety of women on public transport. The woman, who goes by the name Eleena Elizebeth Kurien, shared her ordeal through an Instagram video, saying the man sitting across from her kept staring at her and making “inappropriate” gestures.
In the clip, the man can be seen putting his hands on his cheeks, staring at her and making gestures she called inappropriate. “A man, aged around 50-60, kept staring at my body and behaving in a very disturbing and frightening manner. I recorded this video silently for my own safety,” she said.
She emphasized that her clothing played no part in the incident. “What was I wearing? Kurti, baggy bottoms and a mask – and yet it happened. So no, it’s not about the clothes,” she added.
The woman said that this was not an isolated case and that she had had a similar experience before. “It’s not even the first time. Months ago, an old man deliberately touched me inappropriately with his private part. I was silent then – but not anymore.”
This time I refuse to let it go,” she said.
Calling for accountability, she wrote: “Stop harassing women. We are not your victims. We are not the objects of your sick behavior. Every woman deserves to feel safe no matter where she is or what she wears.
I speak because this is not just my story. So many women go through this and stay silent out of fear, shame or helplessness. That needs to change.
We are not weak. We are not helpless. And we will no longer be silent.”
How did social media users react?
The post quickly went viral on the internet and sparked outrage among netizens, with some also applauding her for raising her voice.
“Exposing this kind of behavior is exactly what needs to happen. Great job,” wrote one user.
“Someone’s father, someone’s husband, someone’s son, someone’s favorite uncle – may this reel reach them,” commented another.
“I also had a really bad experience with him but then I didn’t take any action or show the record. It happened during a trip from Alappuzha to Kannur a few months back. It’s really good that you recorded it and posted it. I’m sure he’s been behaving like this all the time and he should be punished,” shared a third user.
