Okay, this is a rant. A full-on, fed-up, late-night Mumbai local rant.
So here’s what happened. I was at Andheri station, waiting for a train close to midnight. The platform was pretty empty. I was standing near the compartment that’s meant for women, you know, the one we instinctively head to because it feels safer, quieter, less chaotic.
This Is My Rant: The 11 PM Rule That Makes No Sense
But here’s the thing: after 11 pm, that “ladies” compartment suddenly turns into a “general” one. Yep. Just like that, poof, the rule changes.
Now, doesn’t that completely defeat the whole point of having a separate ladies’ compartment in the first place?
When the Clock Hits 11
Because what happens next is painfully predictable. The moment the train rolls in, a bunch of men walk straight into that compartment. Not the next one. Not the half-empty coach behind. No, they have to pick this one. The one that was meant for women.
And it’s not even like they’re sneaking in. They do it confidently. Casually. Like they belong there more than the women standing awkwardly near the door, trying to make themselves invisible. I’ve watched it happen so many times. The women in that compartment just shrink back, stay quiet, and let it be. Because arguing at that hour? It’s not worth it. And it's the "rule".
The Rule That Turns Safety Into a Technicality
Now, according to Western Railway, men are “allowed” in the ladies’ compartment between 11 pm and 6:30 am. Apparently, it’s because many women travel with their male companions and feel safer that way. On paper, fine. In real life? It just takes away the tiny pocket of safety women have after dark.
The minute the clock hits 11, it’s like a signal. Men pour in and quote the rule if anyone protests, “We’re allowed after 11!” And technically, they’re right. But technically doesn’t always mean right.
A home guard once told TOI she feels helpless about it. She can’t stop them because “it’s the rule.” She said if women want to change it, they have to complain to the station master. Imagine that.
The Myth of the “Men’s” Compartment
Here’s the funny part: there’s actually no such thing as a “men’s compartment” in Mumbai locals. There are ladies’ coaches, compartments for senior citizens, people with disabilities, luggage, and then the so-called “general” coaches.
But over time, “general” somehow became code for “men’s.” At times, women entering them are treated like they’re crossing into forbidden territory, when really, there’s no such thing as a men-only coach. I am not blaming all men. But then there is that constant murmuring, "In log ko ladies dabba hai phir bhi yaha aate hai."
The “Why Not Use It?” Argument
Now, some people argue, and I’ve heard this a lot, “But there are two other ladies’ compartments anyway. There are way more men traveling late at night than women, so why leave one compartment empty? Why waste space? When women travel in general coaches and ask for a seat, even we men feel uncomfortable, but we don’t say anything. So why not this?”
And honestly, I get where that’s coming from. But the point isn’t space utilization, it’s safety. Those two other ladies’ compartments are often far away on the platform, especially towards the end, and when it’s late and dark, women choose the one closer to the exit or the security guard. It’s not about hogging compartments, it’s about avoiding risk.
And this argument about “men feeling uncomfortable” when women enter general compartments? Think about that for a second. You feel uncomfortable because a woman asked for a seat. Imagine what women feel when an entire group of men walks into the one compartment that’s supposed to make them feel safe.
Privilege or Protection?
Some people also say women already have too many privileges and that men work equally hard and deserve their own special compartments or even a train where women aren’t allowed.
But that logic completely misses the point. The ladies’ coach isn’t a privilege, it’s protection.
And protection from what, or rather from whom? We all know the answer. That’s exactly why these compartments exist. It is because too many women have dealt with harassment, stares, unwanted comments, or worse, while just trying to get home or get to work.
So yeah, when someone says, “Let’s make a special compartment for men too,” I want to say, “Sure. But make sure you ask yourself why women needed one in the first place.”
My Take
This is purely my opinion, and you’re free to agree or disagree with it. But as someone who’s been traveling in Mumbai locals for years, this is what I’ve seen and experienced, and what my friends and colleagues talk about all the time.
Mumbai local is fairly safe to travel on. There are usually cops within calling distance, and it's safe at any time of day or night for the most part, unlike other places. At times, phone snatching is a bit of an issue in compartments with low crowds. But at times, we all feel that same unease after 11.
The Bottom Line
Women don’t stop existing at 11 pm. Fear doesn’t switch off. Safety shouldn’t depend on the time of day or on whether you have someone traveling with you.
The 11 pm rule doesn’t make Mumbai locals safer. Instead, it just shifts the discomfort from one group to another. And the idea that a woman’s safety should expire at a certain hour? That’s absurd.
We don’t need special treatment. We just need a 24-hour ladies’ compartment that stays ours, day and night. Because the right to feel safe shouldn’t depend on the hands of a clock.
Key Takeaways:
- After 11 pm, the ladies’ compartment becomes general, defeating its purpose.
- There’s no “men’s” coach — only general ones.
- Safety is not the same as privilege.
- Women’s need for safety doesn’t end at 11 pm.
- Mumbai needs 24-hour ladies’ compartments, not temporary safety zones.
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