The sun control films and tinted glasses that were seen by the court as one of the reasons for perpetrators of crime manage to get away with impunity, also provide a safety cover to a section of society that is arguably the most vulnerable to such crimes, women.
Now the city police launched a drive asking vehicle owners to remove the sun control films from their cars, women drivers are up in arms.
“I don’t think I will be safe when I drive without tinted or sun control films in my car, especially during nights,” C. Mageswari, a software professional said.
She often drive back home late in the night and relatively feel safe and secure, driving, rolling up the glasses with sun control films, she says.
Swarnalatha, a college lecturer echoes the similar sentiments. “When you are coming to a halt at a traffic signal, you have people jot just gawking, but literally peeking into your car,” she says adding “I cant imagine driving without tinted glasses.”
Divya, an engineering student says whenever she travel with her father, she roll up the glass with sun control film.
“Those traveling in buses and auto rickshaws try to bulldoze, whenever I roll down the glasses to get some breeze,” she says. The court directive has come as a rude shock to her.
However, undeterred by the city police’s recent directive on removal of sun control films on vehicles, the shops meant for the business on General Patters Road, the hub of sun control film retailers, witnessed a brisk business Friday with normal inflow of customers.
“Even after reminding them of city police’s directive, car owners, were reluctant to listen and asked us to stick sun control films on their vehicles,” says Mr Ranga of Annai stickers on General Patters Road.
“Customers feel what’s the point in buying an expensive A/C car if they are not allowed to enjoy the luxury of having sun control films that prevent from ruthless sun rays,” he says.