No no no… no one was flashing anyone at the First Delhi Flash Mob in solidarity with the ‘Please Mend The Gap’ initiative. It was more about standing up for what I believe in. Standing up for safe spaces in Delhi Metro for women.

And it was a lesson in how to be an activist and have loads of fun being one!  Replace the candles with bright T-shirts and just assemble at a crowded spot!

The ‘Please Mend The Gap’ initiative organized a flash mob in an attempt to make the Delhi Metro a more equal space. The desire is to create awareness – that women and men can share space, and that it is not permissible to violate another person’s sense of self. The flash mob carried this message in a non-violent manner, through affirmative messages.

We boarded the Metro from the Saket Station, and after a few stops stripped our outer layer of clothing to reveal our slogans on bright yellow Tees that we all wore underneath). After about ten stations, we got out of the trains and stood on two of the busiest stations (Rajiv chowk/Kashmiri Gate) and yes we got noticed. Onlookers chattered amongst themselves, a few questioned us and at least one clicked my photo too!

We were a yellow human chain walking towards the Promise land of the Wonderful Wizard of Delhi Metro, seeking safe public transport for all!

– Kuber Sharma