Not so dear “urban crowd” of Guwahati

Sitting in the comfort of my room, I was in blissful oblivion of what had happened here 

in Guwahati, my home to be for the next 4 years. The harsh reality was staring at me 

from the front page of the newspaper the very next morning: a girl had been molested in 

front of a bar by a group of drunk people, in full view of you all, the so-called “urban crowd” 

of Guwahati. The incident shook me through and through and left me wondering at the 

insensitivity you displayed.

Did a cold hand not grip your heart, standing there and witnessing an innocent girl being 

exploited by a group of drunk hooligans, fighting haplessly to preserve her modesty, her 

sanctity? Merely reading about it sent a chill down my spine! Did none of you feel the inner 

urge to help her out, in whatever way possible? How did you muster the strength to merely 

stand there and watch some ruthless devils torture the poor girl? I really fail to understand.

And then, 2 weeks later, when I was boarding my flight to Guwahati, I realized that I was 

afraid. Afraid to go out into the city when I reached there, afraid of you- the “urban crowd” 

which doesn’t have a fragment of care for humanity, but is rather entertained by such an 

inhuman display! With this fear constantly nagging me, here I am, a student of IIT Guwahati, excessively puzzled by your outrageous behaviour and pleading you to reply to this letter and 

tell me what was going on in your notorious minds whilst this horrendous act was being 

committed.

I hope my questions will be answered soon, which, atleast, will put to rest my curiosity, if not 

the fear which has found a permanent place in my mind. Earnestly awaiting your reply…

A bewildered IITGian

Soumya Wadhwa