Before launching the ladies' coach, 4 seats were reserved for women in the Delhi metro. Many have protested against this reservation of seats for women. Why should there be seat reservation at all? Are women handicapped?

Women have been complaining about how unsafe the Delhi Metro is for a long time now. Many have shared stories of harassment, of being pushed and shoved on a daily basis. The overcrowded compartments do not help the situation. But, is it only the women who are suffering? What about the old and the handicapped and for that matter the young men? Do they not suffer in this situation? The government has taken steps to make the Delhi metro women-friendly by introducing a compartment reserved only for the ladies. Even when a ladies' coach was not introduced women had four seats reserved for them and this reservation is still applicable on the other coaches. Has reservation of seats helped make the metro a safer place for women finally? It's hard to say how it can be considered as a solution as a seat is hardly stopping anyone from touching or pushing.

It does not make for a pretty picture when an old man is asked to vacate his seat so that a perfectly healthy woman can sit on it. As a woman, the announcement that seats reserved for women, the old and physically challenged should be vacated is very demeaning. Many women have been misusing this right and old people are mostly at the receiving end of this misuse. Considering all the achievements women have made, the fight for equality and the progress in recent years, seat reservation is definitely a step backwards. Why should there be reservation in the metro based on one's gender?

To be put into the same category as the old and the handicapped is something women should certainly object to. If women want equal treatment and gender equality, they need to stop behaving like the weaker sex.

Team MSN She