Save lives another day

In the case of the professor’s murder,while the neighbours heard loud voices from the house,they did not bother to go and find out what was going on.

These incidents truly reflect the darker side of our society where people act as mute spectators and do nothing to save the lives of others.

The city intelligentsia,meanwhile,feels that if the people were sensitive enough,they would have saved the lives.

Pradeep Sharma,a senior lawyer,said both incidents were very unfortunate. “But more shocking was the reaction of the people who did nothing to save the men in distress. The need is to change the psychology of the people who do not want to get embroiled in any legal hassles. The legislators should enact some law to make people accountable for such happenings. Persons who do nothing to prevent the occurrence of such crimes should also be booked for being mute spectators,” said Sharma.

Satnam Singh,president of the Universal Human Rights Organisation,said: “Those who act as spectators should also be dealt with according to the law to set an example for others.”

Dr Gursharan Singh,former president of the district unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA),said the government should create an environment where people come forward in the event of such crimes.

He said,“On a visit to a foreign country,my friend’s car was hit by another vehicle driven by a girl. A passer by came to my friend and offered to become witness in the criminal case against the girl. I was amazed to see such a character of the people there. People here also can be made willing to help others if our government makes them realise that they would not be unnecessarily harassed if they help others.” Sonia Dhillon,a social activist,added,“Fearing a threat to their own lives,people refrain from helping others. But to change the mindset,the society should come forward to rescue others in the hour of need.”