Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
(The recent incident at Bengaluru Airport illustrates the harsh reality of security harassment)
Recently,a female musician was openly harassed by security personnel in front of hundreds of passengers.
The incident took place at the Bengaluru Airport, where the security is,allegedly, top-notch and the space claims to be safe and secure.
The woman was left humiliated after she was asked to remove her clothes at the security checkpoint and she was left standing in the crowd wearing nothing but a camisole.
The woman shared the horrifying experience on her Twitter account and expressed how she felt exposed and harassed deeply after the ordeal.
This is not the first time such an incident has happened.Since December,airports in India have experienced an increasing amount of rush.
There are thousands of travelers every day,which does put a lot of pressure on both passengers and airport staff.
Complaints have been pouring in about the sheer mismanagement of it all.But does that give the security personnel the power to single out people and put them in such discomfort?
Bengaluru Airport’s security is managed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
According to reports,the CISF is severely understaffed and there are not enough individuals to ensure the decorum and safety of passengers.
Another issue that people face is the negligent and unhelpful behavior of the baggage check-in staff. When passengers,due to unforeseen circumstances,aren’t able to reach the airport in due time,they often request the airport staff for their cooperation to speed up the process.
But many have complained that they receive no help from the staff and thus,often miss their flights.
These incidents are a cause of concern because it raises the question of security and assistance in a public place.
If the public is faced with such troubles at locations that are presumably one of the safest, then what does it say about the rest of the country?
The power held by such personnel is misused on a more regular basis, with such incidents being reported almost every month.
The police and security staff were unable to provide a safe space for the passenger.Women have particularly resonated with this event and have expressed their concerns and disappointment with the happenings.
The victim shared that the onlookers looked at her, making her feel uncomfortable and anxious in an already tense situation.
Be it a man or woman, every traveler deserves to feel welcome at the airport and should be treated properly.
Security protocols don’t promote such uncalled-for behavior, and every security personnel and airport staff must keep this in mind.
The amount of control exercised by the police is a major cause of worry and is worth debating. How much control is acceptable?.
Is it okay for them to openly ask a passenger to strip in the middle of the airport?.
Even if there is a good reason behind it, how can they do so without respecting their privacy and dignity?
Many may argue that police can take whatever action they can when faced with a security threat, but in such situations,
it’s important to reflect upon the conditions, the circumstances, and whether this innocent woman deserved to be mentally and physically harassed in public.
The answer is, no, and it’s time to hold the people who behaved this way accountable for their actions.
