The recent on-stage assault of Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor has ignited a crucial conversation about public safety and the pervasive reality of groping. During a concert in Meghalaya in December 2025, an unidentified fan rushed onto the stage, grabbed the singer's legs, and attempted to lift her, an act captured in videos that swiftly went viral on social media.
Echoes of Trauma: Survivors Break Their Silence
This incident is a stark reminder that such violations are tragically common. Many individuals carry the weight of similar untoward experiences. One woman recounted a childhood incident on a Delhi bus, where a man in his late 40s used his bag as a cover to pinch her waist. The memory, from when she was just 11 or 12 years old, left her with feelings of extreme hate and anguish, teaching her to always carry a bag or stole as a defensive shield in public spaces.
Parina (name changed), a 49-year-old Mumbai business owner and mother, described an incident near a railway station five years ago. Recognizing a repeat offender, she instinctively caught hold of the man, removed her chappal, and began hitting him. Fortunately, the crowd supported her, turning a moment of violation into one of collective resistance. Her advice is clear and powerful: "Do not stay quiet. Chup mat raho."
Another professional from Delhi recalled being groped in Connaught Place in 2014. She reacted immediately by beating the perpetrator with a packet in her hand, prompting bystanders to join in. This instance proved to her the power of making noise in a public space.
Beyond Gender: The Often-Silenced Male Survivor
Sexual assault is not confined by gender. Venkat, a 39-year-old researcher, shared a traumatic 2003 encounter in Chennai. A man offering a lift on his scooter began thrusting against him. When Venkat resisted, the man sped away. He also faced multiple episodes during his daily train commute between 2004 and 2007, describing the perpetrators as skilled "feelers" who executed their violations in mere seconds before disappearing into the crowd. These experiences left him feeling traumatized, enraged, and powerless, a sentiment echoed by countless survivors.
The Predator's Mindset: It's Never "Impulsive"
Psychotherapist and life coach Delnna Rrajesh dismantles the myth that groping is a spontaneous act. "It doesn't. It comes from a very specific mindset," she asserts. It stems from a distorted belief system where the perpetrator sees the other person as an object, not a human being with autonomy.
According to Delnna, this behavior is a toxic blend of entitlement, thrill-seeking, and a profound lack of empathy, bolstered by the belief that anonymity in crowds will let them escape consequences. "It is rarely about sexual attraction. It is about psychological gratification," she explains. Perpetrators rely on the victim's biological freeze response—shock and shame—to protect themselves.
Another critical layer is societal normalization. When early boundary violations are dismissed as 'boys will be boys' or harmless mischief, it creates a culture where serious assaults are not perceived as crimes by the offenders.
The Path Forward: From Silence to Solidarity
Delnna emphasizes that the onus of change must not fall on victims. "The responsibility is not on the victims to behave differently," she states. Society must reframe its understanding, using stronger language—calling it assault and violation—instead of softer excuses.
Key changes she advocates for include encouraging reporting, teaching children about consent and boundaries from an early age, and fostering environments where everyone understands one fundamental truth: your body is yours alone. No one has the right to touch it without explicit permission.
The incident with Kanika Kapoor is not isolated; even global celebrities like Ariana Grande faced a similar assault in Singapore in November 2025. These headlines underscore a universal problem. As survivors' stories and expert insight reveal, combating this violation requires collective awareness, unwavering support for victims, and a societal refusal to normalize any form of non-consensual touch.
