Delhi women take to the streets at midnight to reclaim their space

The capital sees a number of runs, especially over the weekends. But this Sunday, it was different. A group of female

participants

gathered at Connaught Place, not in the early morning but at

midnight

, to take part in a running event aimed to reclaim their space.
Touted often as India’s crime capital, a city highly unsafe for women, the Delhi Police has often been blamed for failing to ensure the safety of

women

in the city. Addressing the issue, the Delhi Police, along with the members of Pinkathon and the NGO

United Sisters Foundation

, organised the ‘Fearless Run’ for women, asking them to reclaim their space. Kaveri Kumari, a college student, said, “I know Delhi streets are unsafe for women at night. Even CP, which is supposed to be a secure zone. While I was coming for this

run

, my mom told me to stay in the group and said, ‘Zyada daring matt hona.’”
The participants said that it was wonderful to be able to do something which they can’t on a daily basis. Shalu Verma, a homemaker, said, “Going to CP at midnight and enjoying a walk there is not something we can do every day. But yes, if such runs are organised regularly and the police is present at night every day in huge numbers, we won’t have to be afraid of taking a night walk.”

Madhur Verma (left), DCP, New Delhi with Ajay Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner, New Delhi range

Another runner, Priya Bhatnagar, who works in an outlet in CP, said, “It was a fabulous experience. It was not a marathon but what was amazing is the fact that women came in huge numbers to participate in the event.” Among others, social activist Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor, was a part of the run.
Flagging off the run, Ajay Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner, New Delhi range, said, “It’s not the time to give speeches, but Delhi Police wants women to be fearless, and we are here to tell you that we are with you.”

A number of women from the city participated in the night run