A Disturbing Encounter on the Train: A Woman's Experience

In a troubling incident on a train, a woman named Surekha faced harassment from a group of boys and transgender individuals. Despite her attempts to seek help from nearby men, she found herself ignored. The encounter sheds light on the challenges women face in public spaces and the alarming indifference of society towards such issues. This story not only highlights the need for awareness but also calls for a change in how we address harassment and support victims. Read on to discover the full narrative of this unsettling experience.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 18:28 IST

An Unsettling Journey

On this particular day, the train was less crowded than usual. Surekha placed her office bag on the empty seat beside her and settled down.

In the entire compartment, apart from a few men, Surekha was the only woman present. It was nighttime, and the passengers appeared drowsy, either chatting softly or dozing off.

Suddenly, a group of 3-4 transgender individuals entered the compartment, clapping their hands and demanding 5-10 rupees from the men.

Some passengers handed over the money quietly, while others murmured in annoyance.

"Could you please spare us during the night? We just want to collect for the week..."

Ignoring Surekha, they moved on.

The train halted for a moment, allowing a few boys to board before it sped ahead. Surekha still had an hour left to reach her destination.

A group of 4-5 boys gathered near her, and one of them leered at her, saying, "Madam, you should move your bag; the seat is for sitting, not for your belongings..."

His friends joined in with crude laughter.

Surekha lifted her bag and squeezed into her seat.

The boys settled next to her.

With a pleading look, Surekha glanced at the 2-3 men sitting across from her, but they pretended she didn't exist.

One boy ran his finger along her arm, while the others encouraged him with their lewd laughter.

"Hey... Mister, show some respect," Surekha exclaimed, standing up and raising her voice.

The men in the compartment seemed oblivious, lost in their own world.

"Oh no, Madam is upset! Please sit down; we still have a long way to go, and we’ll keep you entertained," said a boy with brown teeth, grabbing her hand.

It felt as if the other passengers were mere statues, unresponsive.

Meanwhile, the transgender individuals heard Surekha's voice and approached her.

"What entertainment can you provide? We are the ones who will entertain you," they taunted.

"Shabana, lift your skirt; this one is full of youth!"

"Oh, look at that face; even a dog wouldn't lick it!"

"This one is full of mischief; Julie, strip them down, let’s have some fun!"

As Julie, a robust transgender individual, advanced towards the boys, they bolted towards the door and jumped out of the slowly moving train.

Surekha's tear-filled eyes turned towards the so-called men, who were engrossed in their phones, avoiding her gaze.

Meanwhile, the real entertainers had moved on to another compartment, clapping their hands.