Power, prejudice and predators

March 14, 2025

NEW DELHI – At 22, Akansha had just stepped out of college and into what she believed was her dream job. Years of relentless effort, sleepless nights spent on research and unfaltering dedication had finally paid off. Her boss, at first, seemed supportive and encouraging. However, what initially felt like guidance soon took a sinister turn—frequent summons to his cabin, intrusive late-night calls and an unsettling shift in his demeanour. “I once loved my job. But after months of being ogled at, touched without consent and subjected to advances under the pretence of ‘mentorship’, I began to dread walking through those office doors. My dream job had morphed into a waking nightmare. I remember every detail—the way his hand would linger on my shoulder, the way he whispered words that sent shivers down my spine and the helplessness I felt, knowing that saying ‘no’ could jeopardise my entire career,” shared Akansha, who has since resigned and moved to a different firm, in an interview with The Statesman.

Nivrita, a young journalist, had reached out to a senior photojournalist for assistance with an assignment. However, under the guise of sharing contacts, he sat uncomfortably close, draping his arm over the back of her chair. Then came the unsettling proposition—“Come to my place. I’m sure my wife won’t mind. I’ll just tell her you’re my new girlfriend.” Stunned by his audacity, Nivrita immediately shut him down, walked away and cut off all contact, blocking him from her phone.

Garima, a young professional in public relations, recounted her experience: “There was a journalist we had invited to a conference. Since he had my contact details, he would call me needlessly under various pretexts. Then, during another