[Resolved]  Indian Oil Corporation — Eve Teasing / Harassment of Women by Petrol Pump Staff

This is regarding an incident on January 12th, 2010 at Indian Oil Petrol Pump on Airport Road (Next to the Kodihalli Bus Stop / Royal Orchid Hotel).

One of my friends had gone to fill petrol at the Indian Oil petrol bunk at 9.40 pm.

Seeing nobody at the petrol unit, she approached some of the attendants located near the Diesel pump and asked to them for some help (in kannada, the local language), at which point they started poking fun at her in Kannada and approaching her, making her very uncomfortable. However, she did not respond and she could not leave immediately as she did not have much petrol left on her Bike and did not know where the next petrol station would be. Furthermore, she believed the teasing would end there.

Next, She mentioned that she needed Rs 150 worth of petrol, at which point he started the machine WITHOUT setting the reading to zero and WITHOUT pre-setting the amount to Rs.150. When she protested, a few of the other staff there, said "whats the problem, it is only 2-3 rupees more." And when asked about pre-setting the required amount. The attendant shrugged his shoulders and did not answer.

After this, while filling petrol the attendant continued to fill as it approached Rs.150. At this point, my friend requested him to stop, to which he pretended not to listen. Then when it crossed Rs. 170, in spite of her protests, he said "I will make it a round number to Rs. 180". She asked why he overshot the number he said. He said "oh, I thought you said Rs. 250"

This may seem less serious to all o[censored]s who are used to reading about worse incidents in the newspapers everyday. But, this is the kind of behaviour that women have to put up with all too often.

Cities are dangerous places for people in general, and women specifically. And we cannot decide who we may or may not meet. But, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Ltd) can DEFINITELY screen who they hire. And whoever they hire, they must sensitize them to behave properly, with all customers and especially women.

And managers or supervisors of these petrol stations should be held ABSOLUTELY responsible for such behaviour. Since in India, we do not often have the luxury of expecting sensitivity from people to such problems. Only if they are held accountable, will they be in any way careful about who they hire and how they ensure that the staff behave.

It is unfortunate of course, but the next time such a situation occurs (for anyone), the police should (in my case, they will) be notified.