As women in a misogynist Indian society, we face sexism in almost every sphere. So when female biker, Firdaus Shaikh had a bad experience with a north Indian we just had to bring it up.
Firdaus, a well-trained biker who loves to throttle around town in her expensive biker jacket and jeans recently faced a shameful incident of shunning by an angry man who lashed out at her for being a woman rider, among many things.
Firdaus who has ridden on many a dangerous road, had a disturbing experience on the streets of Delhi this week. The MTV Stunt Mania contestant and co-founder of The Bikerni, a women-oriented biking and adventure group was subjected to bitter verbal abuse, that too after being rammed into by a man who was busy talking on his cellphone. Thankfully for Firdaus, the Delhi Police were extremely co-operative and supported her throughout the episode.
She used social media to narrate this episode and share it with others. Here’s what she had to say:
So just a few hours ago I wrote a post about Indian/Delhi police and their lack of rationalism and empathy towards women. And a few minutes back, I experienced their empathy and cooperation in me being a woman biker.
I had an accident a few minutes back at the Kalkaji-Govindpuri Gurdwara Chowk (I’m OKay, except for a re-busted knee) thanks to a jerk ramming the bike at the left rear. Not only did the cops come and help me on the spot, they also were kind towards me and extremely co-operative, staying with me all through the bullshit and excuses the other guy was dishing out. I guess being a lady biker does help. Thankfully, I wasn’t questioned much, and nor did they judge me over ‘bandi ne kyu itni badi bike chalani hai?’
On the other hand I did have a bitter north Indian taste to experience:
1. The guy who rammed into me (he was talking on the phone, which he blatantly denied) had the courage to say “agar aap ladki na hote toh main alag Hi bhaasha me baat karta hota” right in front of the cop.
2. He also had the balls to say, “Itni badi bike kyu chalani jab handle na ho paye.“
3. When I was adamant about him paying up for the damages (a broken rear foot rest) he called his friend with the money; 3 of them turn up thinking they can scare me!
Damn. They didn’t quite realize this wouldnt work with me.
Maybe I was lucky that I was in a crowded place with the cops around, hence things didn’t escalate much. But post this incident there are a few things I’m going to follow even more than religion.
1. Invest in a good pair of riding denims. They’re surely your knees’ saviours
2. Never skip riding sans a thick jacket. Luckily I was wearing my riding jacket.
3. Learn the art of damaging/ killing/ injuring people with my helmet and vehicle keys. @shifu kanishka looks like its time I enroll in your classes.
Well, this incident shows just one thing: it’s not okay to just take abuse lying down. Stand up against it and raise your voice (even if only on social media) till we see the end of such discrimination.
Image courtesy: Firdaus Shaikh, Facebook
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