IPS officer in Rajasthan performs streetplays for women's rights awareness

Jaipur: Crimes against women have been rising in frequency as well as in audacity with incidents like mass molestations in Bengaluru, in the presence of 1500 police personnel, sending shockwaves across the nation and victim blaming fuelling further outrage about incidents where inaction of the authorities is cited as a major factor.

As the police is facing flak for the rise in such crimes, one IPS officer in Rajasthan is doing more than just her duty as a police officer to raise awareness towards women’s rights. The ASP of Jaipur’s Bassi area, Tejaswini Gautam moonlights as a street play artist and has performed more than 50 plays in Rajasthan to educate people on the issue.

Tejaswini is from Delhi and started performing as a law student upon realising the need for informing women about their rights. She started with 11 constables to perform with her, and now there are 16.

After the play is over, Tejaswini talks to women in the audience and tries to understand their problems and situation better. She also holds auditions for more actors.

The initiative by an IPS officer highlights the importance of change and awareness in society along with stronger action from the authorities on crimes against women. It also shows the way for raising sensitivity among police in relation to such cases.