Ladies only? No

Some time back the Delhi Metro started having a few seats marked as ‘Ladies Only’. But, was it a good move? As a daily commuter and a woman I am not so sure. Special seats were accorded to old or physically challenged people, why should I be counted in that category?The whole idea of ‘reserving’ special seats for women only underlines the fact that women are not equal, and perhaps need extra help finding their way around the city.If we want equal opportunities, shouldn’t there be equal challenges too. Getting one’s seat in the Metro may not count in ‘life’s challenges’ but in my search for equality I am not looking for handouts.It is indeed very tempting to demand someone sitting in those seats to get up and let me sit on the ‘ladies seat’ but in the long run, it isn’t helping me stand shoulder to shoulder is it? Rather the state is giving me a shoulder to lean on.