Pepper Spray In India

halfpint

Am preparing for a solo trip in North India and considering carrying pepper spray with me. Anyone know if this is illegal in India?

Am hiring a driver for 2 weeks, so I guess I just need a bit more personal comfort.

Let me know what you think!

Layman

[quote=halfpint]Am preparing for a solo trip in North India and considering carrying pepper spray with me. Anyone know if this is illegal in India?
QUOTE]
It is not illegal, AFAIK.

guerik

The touts aren't that bad, honest

You might have problems bringing it on the plane, though. Pretty sure it would be classed as a weapon by most Aviation Authorities?

beach

They are not illegal. But I’m not sure if it is legal

Merchant

What, exactly, do you think you will need it for?

halfpint

I am probably being too cautious, but then again you can never really be too cautious.

I have been working in Bangalore for the past half and perhaps I still cannot help but feeling uncomfortable being a foreign women here...there are enough threads on this forum about women's safety and there is no need to start another one! Have to add I never been physically threatened in Bangalore...

I will be traveling around India on a non-work basis next month on my own, so I just want the extra level of comfort. I would normally carry this back in my home town in California.

indiadreamn

if you normally carry it back home then you probably should carry it in India; You'll probably feel more confident and comfortable with it than without.

Merchant

Though I'm male, I find it really hard to imagine a circumstance where you would need pepper spray. It's unlikely that you will ever be truly alone and in dangerous company, unless you go looking for trouble. Violent street crime is rare in India. You probably aren't going to wander prostitution and drug districts at night. When you are making the usual rounds of a traveller, there will always be people around who would come to your assistance if there were trouble. Deploying pepper spray is always dangerous, often to yourself.

Bryan

Sorry but you're not being too cautious you're being too stupid
Leave the pepper spray at home

__________________
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(As come it will for a' that),
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,
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For a' that, an a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
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Shall brithers be for a' that.
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halfpint

Merchant - you are absolutely right, I don't think I would put myself in a dangerous situation and violent crime is rare. But as an arguement, before you came to India, did you visit your doctor for vaccinations? Rabies is probably pretty rare too, but doctors still advise vaccination. Whether or not to get it is a personal choice.

I think I will keep the advice of many travellers and use common sense...wear culturally appropriate clothing, only drink filters and bottled water, ask advice on areas to avoid and so forth. If carrying pepper spray gives me some level of comfort to otherwise be able to enjoy myself more, I don't see how this would be inappropriate.

Merchant

I used to get vaccines, now I don't. Naturally, you can do what you want. Just bear in mind that India does not have a culture of carrying weapons for personal protection. It's not really your "right" to carry something that could harm someone else. An airport screener may confiscate it, or just steal it.

halfpint

Not sure about it not being a part of the culture to carry pepper spray...there is a company here in Bangalore that has been manufacturing pepper spray for the past 2 years and I have seen another company's product available in India as well. There are articles in indian papers online condoning the use of pepper spray:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//...prtpage-1.cms?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/2003/O...576%2C0047.htm

And if it is hidden I would not be offending anyone. I do not think most people taking up any form of self defense is doing it with the intent to harm anyone. I do think its everyone and anyone's right to be able to defend themselves from abuse of any sort.

halfpint

Just found this "Voice Your Views" article on The Hindu...interesting read...

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/m...9/vijwindx.htm

beach

No one will question in carrying it except at the prohibited areas (airport or the likes).

There are some TV ads also (mostly Zee) about these products. It is kind of TV phone and order kind of stuff (like the ad of some white cloth if you wear and walk 1km a day, you will grow tall inch by inch every day!). Mostly to exploit the curiosity and make people buy.

What Merchant said is right. You may carry a can. It is OK. But avoid a situation where you have to use it. That is possible by selecting where you go and what you do. And then why to carry it ?

I would say a scream or yell is more effective (cheaper & unlimited ) than a can of pepper spray.

edwardseco

Depends on what kind of situations you get into. I used to get into very dicey circumstances (political economy) and so I have carried a knife and pepper spray (more for the dogs). The average tourist probably wouldn't need this and it is a little tricky to carry this by airlines. It is available locally. If you carry a knife you should get training on how to use it (same for pepper spray). Otherwise it may be worse than useless. Never forget the real value of backing out of a confrontation and sniveling as well. Be cool not brave..