Recent incidents highlight the urgent need for societal intervention
In a disheartening series of events that continue to rock the nation, several recent incidents of heinous crimes have exposed a concerning trend of bystander apathy in India. From a 16-year-old girl being stabbed in Delhi’s Rohini to a man being killed on a Hyderabad road, passersby have been observed to simply watch these brutal acts unfold, choosing to remain indifferent instead of intervening to prevent further harm. As the nation grapples with the question of why society has become so callous, experts and citizens alike are urging for a collective awakening to address this alarming issue.
The CCTV footage of the 16-year-old girl’s stabbing in Delhi’s Rohini paints a grim picture. Many people who were living or visiting the neighborhood at the time were mere onlookers, passively observing the attacker use a knife and a cemented boulder to repeatedly assault the girl. Shockingly, no one stepped forward to stop the crime, leading to devastating consequences as the girl tragically lost her life. This incident, captured on camera and shared on social media, has ignited a nationwide debate about the society we live in and our collective responsibility to intervene and prevent such crimes.
Numerous individuals who have found themselves in similar distressing situations have shared their experiences, recounting how they looked to others for support but were left disheartened. Harshita Kharbanda, a Delhi University student, recalls a time when she called out a man who was misbehaving with her on a bus. Despite shouting for help, none of her co-passengers or even the conductor came to her aid. The lack of empathy and the prevailing mentality of self-preservation seem to be contributing to the bystander effect, wherein individuals hesitate to intervene when others are in need.
Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police, law & order, Delhi Police, emphasizes the importance of community living and individual responsibility. He highlights that the law permits intervention if someone is witnessing a crime, and it is crucial for society to cultivate a reasonable level of alertness and a sense of responsibility. He encourages individuals to report crimes by dialing emergency helpline numbers, such as 100 or 112, if they witness any unlawful activities.
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Verma, a consultant psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), points out that the lack of growing empathy among people is one of the underlying causes for their reluctance to react. The erosion of strong interpersonal relationships, coupled with a fear of being criticized for intervening, has led to an individualistic approach that prioritizes self-preservation over the well-being of others. Verma also highlights the role of the perpetrator’s temperament, suggesting that their lack of emotional regulation and impulsive nature contribute to the commission of such gruesome acts.
Prominent figures from various fields have expressed their shock and disappointment at the bystander apathy witnessed in these incidents. Rajesh Tailang, an actor known for his role in the Delhi Crime web series, questions the overall state of society and emphasizes the need for introspection. Classical dancer Geeta Chandran asserts that intervening to save a life should be the basic reaction for any compassionate individual, expressing her disgust at the lackadaisical apathy displayed by onlookers. Swati Maliwal, chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, calls attention to the need for strong deterrence to crime through a swift and just legal system, stressing that holding criminals accountable can help overcome this growing apathy.
As these incidents continue to shake the nation’s conscience, it becomes increasingly worrying.
