Recently, the city government had started the drive to remove film screens from vehicles owing to the heart wrenching incident in Delhi that shook the entire nation What happened today with me, made me question - Is this drive really helping in making this city safe? I don't think so...
Well here is my experience. Few minutes back I was stopped near the Gazipur checkpoint barricade and was penalized for still having screen on my car windows. All efforts of trying to tell them that I am a BPO employee who drives alone at night and this screen is some sort of a shield for my identity, fell on dead ears.
What caused greater angst was the fact that I saw scores of cars/ vans/ cabs with even darker film screens being allowed to drive past but they weren't stopped at all. When I questioned, I was told - "When we are making your challan, how can we stop those vehicles"? They took my car RC.
And that is not all. They first gave a date which was 3 days away, to get my car RC from the court. On requesting, they preponed the date by one day. They even had the audacity of advicing me that I should stay away from so called lawyers who would want to make money if I approach them.
The sad part was the fact that when I asked them, how much fine do I need to pay, the so called gentleman said- "It depends upon the mood of the magistrate as to how much will he charge"? I felt like I was standing in some sort of fish market where I was supposed to haggle for the price of my car's RC.
And that is not all. They first gave a date which was 3 days away, to get my car RC from the court. On requesting, they preponed the date by one day. They even had the audacity of advicing me that I should stay away from so called lawyers who would want to make money if I approach them.
The sad part was the fact that when I asked them, how much fine do I need to pay, the so called gentleman said- "It depends upon the mood of the magistrate as to how much will he charge"? I felt like I was standing in some sort of fish market where I was supposed to haggle for the price of my car's RC.
I realise and admit that up until now, I was deliberately flouting this newly issued instruction of the government. If nothing else, then atleast this film screen made me feel a little relaxed when I used to drive back home late in night/ wee hours of morning. I felt a little safe from the leering, letching eyes that I used to encounter during my way back home. I also realise the fact that if someone truly wants to harm/ hurt me then they can easily get inside my car and then this very film screen, even with a 70% exposure, would act as a catalyst instead of being a deterrent. But somehow, I could not bring myself to remove the screen.
The next thought that comes to my mind is that - With the government taking so many measures to make citizens feel secure, do I really feel safe? Definitely NOT!!! I feel even more vulnerable and exposed. This is all thanks to the treatment that I got today. If the government has to make a rule, then the least that they can do is to plan it properly and then roll it out.
Truly disappointed by the state of affairs. I wonder by when would this city become truly a safe city. Have this strong urge of getting away from here...somewhere...anywhere...
Somebody....anybody... take me away from here....I feel vulnerable...
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