Today is the 2^nd anniversary of the gang rape case that happened on the cold winter night of 16 December 2012, in Delhi.  In compliance with Indian law, the real name of the rape victim cannot be disclosed; the media houses therefore used pseudonyms while reporting about the case.  Nirbhaya became the most known name, and the case thereafter has been referred to as the Nirbhaya gang rape case.  She was beaten and raped by six men in a private bus, and died of the injuries.

The incident was widely condemned, and the public across the nation protested against the government for failing to provide safety and security to women.  As a result, several new laws were passed, fast-track courts were created to hear rape cases, and promises were made including better street lighting, safer public transport and more policing to ensure safety of women in the country.

The incident had a huge impact on my life too.  I had never learnt to drive, out of sheer laziness, and facilities I had access to.  My daughter was born in early January 2013, and I took her to meet a friend at the Vasant Kunj Mall in South Delhi.  I called in a famous taxi service when I got free at about 6:30pm.  The driver was heavily drunk – and for once, I left, worried about what could have happened if I had boarded the cab.  I am a researcher who has travelled at odd hours in public transport across the country and worked in conflict zones – none of this made me feel vulnerable.  But just thinking of how brutally she was raped, left me susceptible and weak.  I knew at that moment – I would not entrust my daughter’s safety with anyone else on the road.  I started learning to drive the very next day, for my and my daughter’s safety.

The  woman in the 16 December gang rape case was mainly referred to as Nirbhaya – the fearless one – for she fought till her last breath; and because we – the women in country, felt that after this outrage, we wouldn’t have to be fearful anymore.  Two years have passed, but we feel no safer today.  The recent rape case by an Uber cab driver validates our fears and apprehensions.  

Rape in a supposedly trusted cab has further exposed the safety and regulatory gaps in the country.  The rapist is not a first time offender – he has assaulted several other women before. Uber does driver background checks in the United States, but not in India.  The driver turned off the GPS on his mobile device and no one at Uber’s offices noticed.  If the company had made appropriate checks, the police and government departments have done their jobs sincerely – this could have been avoided.

Where does the accountability lie – with the government to ensure stringent regulatory systems, or with the companies to uphold their policies & practices? Both failed in their responsibilities, and both must take urgent action - there is no shortage of recommendations of what government and business needs to do.  For me, it’s clear what I want to come out of these cases: a place safe for my daughter, and for myself.

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Read more on the Uber case: "India: Rape in Uber cab raises questions about company's recruitment practices, Uber apologises"