I wanna be a criminal

I am from Delhi, and I have always looked at every woman with deep respect. I have never stared at or objectified anyone because I believe in treating people with dignity. I hold on to the belief that the world is not entirely bad—because people like me exist. But then I hear about r*pes and assaults happening every day, growing in numbers, and it breaks my heart. It fills me with sadness and frustration.

Today, I saw something that made these feelings even stronger. Two guys on a scooty were trying to grab a girl's hand, touching her inappropriately as they rode alongside her. I couldn't just stand there and watch. They were moving slowly next to her, so I stepped in, grabbed one of the guy’s hands, and said, "If you want to grab hands, grab mine." I’m not a big guy—I’m just 21—but in that moment, I didn’t care. They were big, gym-built guys, and yes, I was afraid, but fear wasn’t enough to stop me.

The guy quickly shook my hand off and rode away. I didn’t stop the girl or ask if she was okay—I didn’t want to bother her. When I grabbed the man's hand, she just kept walking, and I believe she was scared. After they left, I watched as she walked ahead, maintaining some distance from me. I was heading in the same direction, and I could only hope she was okay.

This incident made me realize something—I can’t just keep hoping for the world to change. I need to do something. All I want now is to take matters into my own hands. I want to do something that will give me the power to take down r*pists and murderers myself. I have an elder sister who has instilled great values in me, taught me respect , Now, I have a niece, and I cannot bear the thought of her growing up in a world like this.

Maybe it’s too big of a dream, maybe it sounds impossible—but I want to do it. I have the courage to make it happen.