A woman staffer of Victoria Hospital was Reshma Banu’s pillar of strength in the latter’s moment of grief after her baby, Neha Afreen, died at 11.25 am on Wednesday in Vani Vilas Hospital. Tabassum is an employee of Victoria Hospital. When she learnt that Afreendied and the body was brought to Victoria Hospital for postmortem, she comforted and counseled Reshma.

Initially, Reshma was surrounded by political leaders and BBMP corporators, who told her to stop crying. They offered empty promises that Farooq would be punished. Later, Tabassum reached the mortuary and met Reshma. Tabassum was the only other woman apart from Reshma who were present in the mortuary. Reshma’s relatives arrived at 1 pm.

“When I came here, she was surrounded by men who are telling her to stop crying. But nobody counselled her. Hence, I took the initiative,” she said. Later, Tabassum told Reshma: “There are many people like Farooq. Fight them for the sake of other women in the city. No woman should suffer like you in future.” Tabassum’s first words to Reshma were: “Fight till your last breath for justice.”

“It’s 2012 and yet, people have a gender bias. It is a shame. Reshma, your fight starts from today. This is the beginning of your life. There are many women who are suffering like you and you should become a role model for them,” said Tabassum. “All these days you spent your life without goals. Now, you have to set a goal towards fighting gender discrimination. You should ensure other woman do not suffer like you,” added Tabassum.

“Farooq should receive a life-term, not the death sentence. He should realise his mistakes and men must be scared to beat women or children,” said Tabassum. She told DNA: “She was just 17 years old when she got married. Parents are forcing their children into marriage at the age of 14 or 15 years. This results in the harassment. It should be stopped.” Tabassum stayed with Reshma till Neha’s body was taken to her house