- Bribe Fighter
- 13 years ago
- 2288 views
Ek Ladki TC pe Bhadki
This is no less than a Bolywood script. I was travelling alone, supposed to go to Chennai from Chirala Junction in Andhra Pradesh. I was booked on a train but missed it. Had to reach Chennai on time so bought a chalu ticket and jumped into the sleeper coach on the next train from Chirala to Chennai. I knew I had to see the TC, pay the fine for not having a reserved ticket and pay for getting a reserved berth if there is availability. After 15 min or so comes the TC. A young fellow with a red cap and red tie. He checked me out from my head to toe. I said "SIR" and explained my situation. The first question he asked me "WHERE ARE YOU FROM" I knew it was non of his business, the feminist inside me was fuming. I still answered some questions with patience. Then came the real deal. I asked him how much should I pay you "SIR"? He said 200/- Rs. I said, fine. Please give me a bill of the same. He looked at me straight into my eye and said "I will give you bill for 150 Rs./-" to which I asked "And the remaining 50/-?" He got furious at me and said," That you will not get, dont ask me why coz you will never understand". I completely lost it. The realisation dawned upon me that I was just asked to pay a bribe to get e berth. I had two options as we all do. I chose the difficult one.
I said to him " Please give my chalu ticket back".He gave it to me. Then I said "Please get lost". I could not believe that I had said this, but honestly I was so upset with the man firstly because he looked me as if I was nothing but a piece of flesh and then asked me for a bribe. Then began the war.
He told me to get out of the coach and to move to the general compartment. I refused. He said he will call the police and make sure I am kicked out of the train. I said to him I will call the Station Manager in Chennai and tell them that you kicked me out of the train for not giving you 50/- Rs. extra. There was a big spat. Everyone in the train looked at me. A tall young girl from Mumbai, got in from Chirala and now is yelling at the TC.
This went on for 4 hours. He came after every hour and kept asking me to leave. I did not respond to him. Finally he came to me, and said "I will give you berth". I asked him "For How much "SIR"? This time the SIR was said in a very sarcastic manner. He replied "150" I knew I had won the battle, just wanted to confirm so asked him again "HOW MUCH SIR?" and he got irritated "150" he said.
I did not pay a bribe. This incidence has given me a lot of belief that a common man can fight, can resist if he wants to. It happened when EK LADKI TC BE BHADKI, it can happen if you do the same.