Women banned at Perambur railway ground

At a time when women from around the world are fighting for equal rights and when numerous social campaigns have sprung up across the country to reclaim public places, the incident was a rude reminder on the discrimination faced by women. Smrithi Amarendran and Candice Rozario were stopped by the ground staff at the Perambur Railway ground. 

“We are preparing for a trek. We usually run on the road near our houses. We wanted to practice on an incline and we decided to train at the Perambur ground. We visited the ground at 6 am and were stopped by the staff who claimed that ‘women were not allowed’. Even as tried to reason with them, schoolgirls were allowed to enter the premises without being questioned,” said Smrithi.

The incident takes an ironic twist considering that it was reported just a few days before Women’s Day. The women spoke out on social media, only to be met with suggestions that the ground should be off-limits to non-members. They visited the premises again and saw a woman taking a walk. 

“When we questioned the staff, they claimed that she was a Railway employee and went on to claim that the premise was open to the public only in the morning, but only to men. 

However, sportswomen associated with the Railways are allowed entry”, she added. When questioned, the ground staff, very confidently, explained, “Hundreds of people visit the ground. Some walk fast and some at a medium pace. It gets crowded and in the process of swinging one’s arms, there are chances for physical contact, so to avoid that, the authorities have banned the entry of women”. There is no notice board that indicates such rules. “If the park was reserved exclusive for railway employees, it’s understandable. But the current practice is discriminatory towards women,” says Smrithi.