Does Mumbai’s Middle Class Lack Empathy for Migrant Women?

Mumbai – A Cry from the Shadow
By Ganesh Rajaraman

January 18, 2025

Srimati, a Dalit migrant woman, lives on the streets of Mumbai with her son Shiv Sagar and her daughter after city authorities demolished her home in Jai Bhim Nagar. While she was worried about men leering at her daughter, she learned of a “Reclaim the Night” protest organised by women from a nearby housing society. That protest was in response to the August 2024, rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in a hospital in Kolkata. Hoping to voice her own family’s safety concerns, she went with other displaced women from her hamlet. But what she experienced at the protest, left Srimati feeling that the middle class extends empathy perhaps only to its own.

The rape and murder of the trainee doctor at Kolkata's R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on Aug. 9, 2024, led to nationwide protests. "Reclaim the Night" marches were held in various cities, where thousands of women and men protested against gender-based violence, but perhaps migrant women from poor families.

While Mumbai is often considered safer for women compared to other Indian cities, incidents of sexual harassment remain a significant concern, especially for marginalised groups like poor migrant women.

Many migrant women in Mumbai work in informal sectors, such as construction and domestic work, where they often face exploitation and abuse. Their economic dependence and lack of formal employment contracts make it difficult to report or resist harassment.

Migrating to a new city often results in the loss of traditional support systems. This isolation can leave women more susceptible to harassment, as they may lack the resources or networks to seek help.

Further,  Fear of social stigma, lack of trust in law enforcement and the tedious legal process deter many women from reporting sexual harassment. This underreporting perpetuates a cycle of abuse.

Psychological studies suggest that people are more likely to empathise with individuals who share characteristics, experiences or backgrounds similar to their own. Humans naturally categorise others into "in-groups" (people like us) and "out-groups" (those different from us). This bias leads to stronger feelings of connection and empathy toward in-group members.

However, learning about different communities, their struggles and their perspectives can bridge gaps. Understanding shared humanity through knowledge reduces biases and builds a connection.