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I too was a victim of molestation: Mary Kom
The nation might be celebrating Mary Kom’s gold at the Incheon Asian Games, but the champion boxer disclosed that she was allegedly molested during a camp in Rohtak some time back.
The nation might be celebrating Mary Kom’s gold at the Incheon Asian Games, but the champion boxer disclosed that she was allegedly molested during a camp in Rohtak some time back. “I was out for a walk when a man came from behind and touched me. The incident happened in 2004,” she told HT on Wednesday.
Mary was witness to another incident in the Capital in 2006. “I was passing through Lodi Colony with my friend, Jennifer, when two men on a bike approached us and patted her,” said Mary.
What happened in Delhi occurred again back home in Manipur. “I was going to the church when a rickshaw puller tried to molest me. I chased him with a slipper but he managed to escape. Such shameless acts happen not only in Delhi, they can occur anywhere, to anybody,” said the assistant superintendent of police in Manipur.
The five-time world champion rued the fact that while the nation was celebrating her success at the Asiad, people from the north-east were being subjected to hate crimes in parts of the country.
On Tuesday, a Manipuri student was attacked in Bangalore, and a day later two men from Nagaland were brutally beaten up in Gurgaon.
“We are Indians, our medals are for India. Discrimination should not happen to anyone. It is unfortunate, but before jumping to a conclusion one should find out who was at fault. No one has the right to beat or kill anyone,” said Mary.
Sarita Devi, who also hails from Manipur and won a bronze in boxing at Incheon, echoed Mary’s view.
“People should understand that we are also Indians and love our country. We compete for India not for a particular state. Every Indian should feel proud that people from the north-east are contributing to India’s success. Earlier, people did not know where Manipur was, but because of sport, India is now celebrating our success.”
