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The height of indifference

Denying Help
Last Updated 27 June 2013, 18:38 IST

Often, in our day-to-day life, we see accidents happen before us, but
we are too busy to extend a helping hand to the victim or victims. Recently, when an Audi rammed into an auto rickshaw near Mayo Hall, there were plenty of onlookers and vehicles passing by, but not many were willing to help the victims, except a few auto drivers. This kind of indifference is quite common here.

Anil Kumar BS, a professional, met with an accident at Chalukya Circle a while back. He recollects, “It was around midnight when a car came and hit me and my bike
toppled over. My right leg was broken. People gathered around me in a circle, but no one offered any help.”

Anil’s father, who was travelling in another vehicle behind him, stopped at the
accident site, only to find Anil badly hurt.

 “My 70-year-old-father, who has his own share of ailments, had to pull me up and take me to the hospital all by himself. Such is the attitude of the
people here,” he says.

There are many others who have met with such indifference.

Sumanth M, a senior account executive with an MNC, met with an accident in Malleswaram.

“Apart from a girl rushing to give me some water, there was nobody to help. I had to pull myself up and rush to KC Hospital. That’s when I realised that I was bleeding,” he recalls.

Sumanth adds that some strong initiatives like banners in front of offices and busy roads and awareness drives need to be taken by the police. “Accident can happen with anyone. How would you feel when no one turns around to help you?” he asks.
There is a presumption that women have it easier in an emergency, and that everyone comes rushing to help the damsel in distress.

Anitha KS, a financial analyst, talks about her experience, “A few weeks back, I was in BTM Layout and a biker on the wrong side rammed into my bike. Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt badly. But, instead of apologising, he just started yelling at me. There were many people around, even the police, but no one came to help.” She says that people are so engrossed in their own work that nothing else matters.

People often worry about the legalities that follow if they help the victim. So they choose to silently slip away from the scene.

Varsha Rao, a graphic designer, agrees that Bangalore is indifferent in such
situations.

She says, “When you witness an accident, offer basic human courtesy, do whatever little you can. Ask yourself, what if this were to happen to you or your family. One should help, irrespective of any possible inquiry by the authorities.”

Varsha adds that radio jingles and social networking should spread the message.
The authorities, though, dispels the common man’s fear of helping someone in
distress.
  
Additional commissioner of police (law and order), Kamal Pant, says, “The Supreme Court has clearly stated that one can choose to be a witness to an incident, according to one’s will. No one can force him or her to do anything and the police
will not harass anyone because of that. Helping someone in trouble is the
priority.”

Kamal also says that just because someone helps a person in trouble, doesn’t mean that he was a witness to the accident.

 “Thus, he cannot be asked to give a witness account,” adds Kamal.

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(Published 27 June 2013, 14:10 IST)

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