In a couple of days, Kerala will witness women bullet riders on the streets, spreading messages to stop atrocities against children. Five members of Dauntless Royal Explorer – the first all women bullet club in the state – will take out a ride from Kasargode to Kanyakumari for the cause, and on their way, they will try to reach out to as many people as possible.
Shyni Rajkumar, Remya S Pillai, Sruthi, Joyce Biji and Mini Thomas, who are part of Dauntless Royal Explorer, have been disturbed by the recent incidents of child rapes in Kathua, Unnao, Surat and Delhi. The ride, titled ‘I am masoon’ (I am innocent), is their effort to raise their voice against such crimes – and to turn society’s focus to the fact that such crimes are committed everywhere.
“If we approach people with the request that we need to talk about such a social issue they may not listen,” says Shyni, the founder of Dauntless Royal Explorer. “But if a group of women riders, that too on bullet, stop at a junction – people will definitely pay attention,” she adds.
While Shyni, Remya, Mini and Joyce Biji will be riding bullets, Sruthi will be riding pillion.
The ride will kick off on April 29 from Thiruvananthapuram. On the way to Kasargode, the riders will stop at Municipal bus stand in Thrissur, Kozhikode beach, Caltex Kannur and Bakel Fort Kasargode. The official inauguration will be held in Kasargode. During their return, the riders will stop at High Court Junction, Kochi, and will ride till Kanyakumari. It will conclude at Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram with a candle light protest on Monday. ‘I am Masoom’ has the support of Childline as well – Childline workers will be present at the spots where riders will stop.
While the initiative has found support from many people, including male bullet riders and clubs like Bullet Wood, Ride holics etc, the women have also faced criticism. Shyni says that there are people who ridicule them, and ask how rapes in society will stop with the ride.
“I am not saying that we are going to make a big change, we have limitations. But even if one person would think of it, it would be a big success for us,” Shyni says.
She further clarifies that when they talk about sexual abuse of children, they’re not just for girls. “It’s not for female children only, it’s for male children also. Out target group is parents, though we are trying to communicate to the society at large. We will approach parents and talk to them on the need to teach their children self defence. Our plea to society is to allow children to grow up in a healthy atmosphere,” she says.
The all-women bullet club
Dauntless Royal Explorer was formed in November 2016. In the beginning, there were only 10 members, now there are 30 members.
“The very purpose of forming the club was women’s empowerment,” Shyni says. “Many times, I have been asked how women’s empowerment is possible through a riding club. What I did was provide a platform for the women to bring out their talent, to come out of their homes. There are members who had quit midway, but still they continue to ride. That is exactly what I wanted – to enable them to ride. There are members with and without family support,” she says.