A Focused Initiative for Safer Streets
Delhi Launches ‘Shishtachar’ Squads to Tackle Eve-Teasing and Boost Women’s Safety: In a bold step towards making the national capital safer for women, the Delhi Police is preparing to roll out ‘Shishtachar’ squads, also known as anti-eve teasing squads. This new initiative is designed specifically to curb street harassment and boost public confidence in gender-sensitive policing. The word Shishtachar, which means “etiquette” or “civility” in Hindi, reflects the program’s aim of ensuring respectful public behavior without indulging in moral policing.
Structure and Leadership of the Squads
What makes the ‘Shishtachar’ initiative stand out is its systematic deployment structure. Each district in Delhi will have its own squad, with the unit led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). This ensures leadership at a senior level and better accountability. These squads will be tasked with conducting regular patrols at schools, colleges, markets, bus stops, and metro stations—areas where women are most vulnerable to harassment in public spaces.
Enforcing Law, Not Morality
One of the most significant features of the ‘Shishtachar’ squads is their focus on enforcing the law, rather than imposing cultural or personal morality. This distinction is important in a diverse society where dress codes or behavior can become targets of unwarranted moral judgment. The Delhi Police clarified that the intent is to prevent offences like stalking, verbal abuse, and intimidation, not to police consensual or non-offensive behavior in public spaces.
A Step in the Direction of Gender Justice
The move comes at a time when concerns about women’s safety in Delhi continue to dominate headlines. From high-profile crimes to daily instances of harassment, there has been increasing demand for visible, responsive, and trained enforcement units to deal with street-level violations. The ‘Shishtachar’ squads are part of a broader national push for safer cities, aligning with schemes like Safe City Mission under the Nirbhaya Fund.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Delhi Launches ‘Shishtachar’ Squads to Tackle Eve-Teasing and Boost Women’s Safety:
| Aspect | Details |
| Name of the Squad | Shishtachar Squad (Anti-Eve Teasing Squad) |
| Launched By | Delhi Police |
| Purpose | Women’s safety, prevention of street harassment |
| Supervision | Led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) |
| Coverage Area | Each district in Delhi |
| Policy Focus | Law enforcement, not moral policing |
| Related Government Initiative | Safe City Mission under Nirbhaya Fund |
| Key Relevance for Exams | Gender justice, public safety reforms, urban policing |
