An American woman has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a teenage boy at a Delhi Metro station during her recent visit to India. According to her account, the incident occurred after she agreed to take a photograph with the boy, who was accompanied by his mother and sister. The woman claimed the boy groped her inappropriately, leaving her shaken and angry.
Professor Reveals Student’s Experience
The incident came into public view after Gaurav Sabnis, an Indian-origin professor at Stevens Institute of Technology in the US, shared the woman’s experience on social media platform X. Sabnis said the woman was his former student who had contacted him before travelling to India for a wedding. He had warned her to remain alert, particularly in Delhi, due to the risk of harassment faced by foreign women.
“While my colleagues and hosts were great and I had a fun, memorable 8 days in India, there was one unfortunate and ugly incident,” she wrote and added that it “soured my mood so much” that she felt “withdrawn and depressed for a couple of days.”
She explained that from the moment she landed in Delhi, she drew attention simply by existing: “As you had predicted, I got asked for a lot of selfies. I thought you were exaggerating, but WOW! Starting from the baggage carousel in Delhi on landing, strangers were asking me for selfies.”
To deal with the attention, she followed a rule she believed would keep her safe.
“I followed the rule you suggested. Firm and RBF ‘NO!’ to men. But for women and children, using my judgment, I agreed,” she wrote. RBF is an abbreviated slang used in America that stands for: Resting Bitch Face.
For a while, she said, it seemed harmless, saying, “And it was fun for the most part.”
Family Allegedly Defends Teen’s Actions
According to the woman’s message shared by Sabnis, the boy first put his arm around her shoulder and then suddenly grabbed her breasts and slapped her before laughing. When she reacted angrily and pushed him away, the boy’s mother allegedly accused her of overreacting. The woman claimed the family justified the behaviour by saying the boy had never encountered a blonde woman up close and had become “carried away.”
Tourist Says Incident Changed Her View of India
The woman said the episode overshadowed her otherwise positive experiences in the country. While she praised her hosts and colleagues, she said the incident left her deeply disturbed and unwilling to return. She also expressed concern for Indian women, questioning whether such harassment was a routine part of life for them.
“When this former student called me in November for suggestions for her India trip for a friend’s wedding, I told her, be on guard for sexual harassment. Especially in Delhi. Here, you’re just another blond. There, you’ll be a target. Sadly, it came true,” he wrote on X along, with a screenshot of the text he received from his student. The woman also said she will avoid South Asia travel in the future.
“But then a teenage boy, maybe 14 or 15, at a Delhi Metro station just ruined it forever. He was with his mom and sister so thought okay why not. He puts an arm on my shoulder. Weird but okay, he’s a teenager. And then, professor, he just straight up grabbed my breasts hard and spanked my butt and giggled like he had played a joke. pretty much EXPLODED in anger, grabbing him by the collar and pushing him away. He fell and his mother started getting upset at me saying I was “overreacting”. That he had never met a blond lady up close so he got “carried away”. What kind of parenting is that? I loved your country and I wish I could say return, but don’t think ever will. In fact I’m going to give all of South Asia a pass,” the woman wrote in a text to the professor.
Online Backlash and Legal Concerns
The professor’s post sparked intense reactions online, with many users condemning the family’s response and calling it a clear case of molestation, which is a cognisable offence under Indian law. Several users said the woman should have approached the police, while others apologised to her on behalf of Indians and criticised the culture of excusing such behaviour.
Renewed Focus on Women’s Safety
The incident has once again brought attention to women’s safety in public spaces and the societal tendency to normalise or excuse harassment, especially when minors are involved. Although no official complaint has been reported, the episode has fuelled broader discussions on accountability, parenting, and public conduct.
