How one woman’s courage made Mumbai local trains safer

Jayabala Ashar, railway accident survivor. Pic/Rajendra B Aklekar

I have one message for everyone who goes through such trauma. Never lose hope. Keep fighting, keep moving, and one day you will stand on your feet again," says Jayabala Ashar, whose courage became a turning point in the history of Mumbai's suburban railway safety.

Ashar made headlines in the late 1990s after bravely confronting a drug addict inside a local train, an incident that eventually led to major reforms in railway policing. On October 26, 1998, Ashar was pushed off a moving local train between Charni Road and Grant Road stations after resisting the accused. The shocking incident jolted the city and prompted the government to establish Mumbai's first Railway Police Commissionerate.

Since then, the presence of armed police personnel in ladies compartments during night hours has become standard practice, significantly improving safety for women commuters, a change widely credited to Ashar's case. The incident was first reported in the second edition of mid-day on October 26, 1998, by journalist Sachin Kalbag.

mid-day's Oct 27, 1998 report

"I remember it clearly. It was morning time, and the incident happened between Charni Road and Grant Road. It was an extremely difficult phase, but the support I received from society made me mentally strong." Ashar recalled. She also acknowledged the role played by the government at the time.

"Ram Naik was the railway minister then, and the government supported me throughout my recovery," she said.

With support from across society, she rebuilt her life and was later appointed as a clerk with Western Railway. "What happened could have broken me completely and pushed me into depression," she said. "But the overwhelming support I received gave me the strength to fight back and emerge stronger."

Today, Ashar actively supports others facing similar trauma. "I try to help people who go through such situations, motivate them, and even provide financial assistance whenever possible," she said.

Her message remains simple but powerful. "We must not lose heart. Mental strength is everything. Instead of thinking about what has happened, we should focus on what lies ahead and how we can rebuild our lives," she added.