Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has requested the re-appointment of bus marshals to ensure the safety of women commuters in the city. She wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena requesting the re-appointment. She highlighted that the marshals have played a crucial role in catching miscreants and preventing harassment and molestation incidents. The removal of marshals has eroded women's confidence in public transport, affecting their ability to travel fearlessly.
Delhi CM writes, "Before the marshals were deployed, every day was a struggle for women traveling by buses. Many feared for their safety, and many women were harassed or molested. The presence of over 10,000 marshals in buses changed that." The letter alleges that the Delhi government's marshals were instrumental in catching miscreants and preventing harassment but were removed in October 2023 as part of a 'conspiracy.' Atishi accused certain officers of undermining safety measures and promoted them to higher positions.
The Delhi government's proposal to reinstate the 10,000 marshals on buses was passed on 12 November 2024, which has been delayed by over 2 weeks, causing concern among the government, their families, and women in Delhi. The re-appointment aims to strengthen women's safety and livelihoods, but the fate of the 10,000 marshals and the future of public transport in Delhi now depends on the government's approval.
