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When the 8.22 am fast left Borivali station on the dot on bandh day, everyone in the ladies compartment rejoiced. It reached Kandivali peacefully, picked up commuters, and hopes rose of a safe journey.
Other than the window seats being empty, it appeared like a normal day.
However, as the train went towards Malad, the tracks became crowded with protestors who were shouting slogans and squatting on the rails. The police baton could only help the train inch forward.
Soon came the expected bouquets of rocks in sizes big and small, hurled into the compartment. Utro, utro, bandh hai. Chalo train khali karo. Utro, utro, train khali karo, train khali karoooo, young protestors demanded.
The women became scared. Seats fell vacant as they took cover on the floor heads down, faces covered with hands.
The shower of stones continued.
Women on their way to work to save a casual leave were lying on the floor, burying their heads under the seats. One option was jumping off the train.
But many women could not do that due to old age or sarees or both. So they stayed under the seats.
The train started moving. A few daring women got up and shut the doors and windows. The compartment was littered with stones.
The train crept into Malad station.
Suddenly, a group of young protestors charged in.
One pulled the chain, another switched off the lights and fans, and yet another screamed at the women for not participating in the bandh.
The women finally got off and crossed over to the other platform, to wait for a train to Borivali.
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