Eve-teasing, theft complaints at venue

Women supporters of Anna Hazare are livid that eve teasing and other forms of harassment has become the norm at Jantar Mantar.

Women supporters of Anna Hazare are livid that eve teasing and other forms of harassment has become the norm at Jantar Mantar.

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Also, this platform to battle graft has turned into a playground for pick pockets, with many complaining about their missing wallets and other valuables.

"The men take undue advantage of the fact that there is little space to move. Near the stage, it is even more uncomfortable for women. Many a time when there is heightened activity, some of us have been pinched and eve teased with men passing lewd comments. By the time we go to the women constables, the men who were responsible disappear," said Uma Prasad, who had come from Rohini to be a part of the protest on Thursday.

People said such petty crimes mar the sanctity of the movement.

"I lost a very expensive mobile phone on Thursday morning. It is extremely disappointing to know that even through a movement as important as this, we have to worry about keeping our things safe than participating. It is not surprising then that fewer people have turned up," said Mohit Kanwal, a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar.

However, police say there were hardly complaints regarding eve teasing, though they have received complaints about stolen wallets and cell phones.

"We keep a constant vigil at Jantar Mantar but it is extremely hard to retrieve a lost item because of the sheer number of the crowd," said a senior police official.