Himanshu Guru
Recently, the Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani spotted a hidden camera in the changing room of the outlet of a Fabindia store at Candolim in Goa. She immediately brought it to the notice of her husband and when they complained about the matter it was found that the camera had captured videos since the last four months. The incident has shocked Indian women who had not thought of such a nuisance in the trial room (changing room) of a shopping mall. Orissa POST sought views of women on this disturbing issue.
“I am shocked to know of the incident,” said Anita Shaw, a homemaker. “I had never thought someone would ever find out such a thing. After all this is about privacy of people at large. And when it comes to privacy of a woman, the matter becomes more sensible. It seems some evil people have started to outrage the chastity of women in different ways. From the news I came to know that the Union HRD Minister immediately took action and checked the footage of the said hidden camera. She found that her image was shot and she further found that the camera was taking photos since the last four months. If the wrong-doers can shoot a woman of such a high profile, ordinary women of the country are not at all secure in front of the camera,” she said.
“Next time I will visit a boutique, first I will search for any hidden camera installed in a trial room,” said Sujata Nanda, a professional from Bhubaneswar. “The mall authorities should clearly know the rules regarding putting up hidden cameras in their premises. I further came to know from the news that they were claiming the said camera was put for safety. But how far is it acceptable that you put a hidden camera, without the notice of the women in a trial room that cages videos of their exposed bodies. All the mall authorities should be asked to take care of the activities in their premises with care, so that the modesty of women is not outraged,” she added.
“These days, women are facing a lot of problems and we are hearing about different forms of harassment,” said Dipsikha Mishra from the capital city. “When we visit a mall, we normally take it for granted that the management of that business concern is taking utmost care to secure the chastity of women. So, even if some miscreant puts a hidden camera without notice of the authorities of that business concern, there should not be any excuse. We cannot just skip the matter by just catching and bringing the miscreant to the purview of law. The mall authorities should also be warned against any such wrongdoings in the future,” she added.
“I would like to thank Smriti Irani for bringing the matter out,” said Swapna Sahu from Bhubaneswar. “I must say this is a welcome step by the Union HRD minister. After all, she pulled the cat out of the bag. Now, women will be more cautious. Also, if any women find such an illegal thing going on, she should intimate it to the proper authorities and take action. Thereby, she will not only manage to save her chastity, but her effort would benefit a number of other women, who could be victims of crimes,” she added.