Police in India arrested three men caught on video harassing two women on a bus – a video that’s gone viral because the two women fight back, repeatedly smacking the men with their fists and belts.  It’s another episode highlighting India’s problem with rampant sexual abuse and violence.

The footage captured by another passenger showed 22-year odl Arati Kumar and her 19-year old sister Pooja punching and lashing the harassers with a belt amid the indifference of most of the other passengers.  One man does appear to be trying to separate the attackers from the women.

“One of the boys started touching my sister and making kissing gestures,” Arati told reporters.  “I told him to go away or I would teach him a lesson.  Then he called another boy saying that (they) have to beat up two girls.  And then the other boy got on the bus.”

The bus driver has been suspended for failing to take action.  The girls are getting cash rewards for India’s Republic Day holiday, as politicians took to social media to praise them for standing up for themselves under such trying circumstances – hashtag #RohtakBravehearts, for the town of Rohtak where it happened. 

The 2012 gang rape of a young woman on a Delhi bus was breaking point for a country that has long tolerated inexcusable violence against women.  Rohtak police say they will use new anti-harassment laws brought online since that wpisode to request a speedy trial.