Human beings are endowed with a wide gamut of emotions that are not only well documented, articulated, and inferred but also showcased in no uncertain terms as to how we are programmed to connect with fellow living creatures in more than one way. The biggest blessing Mother Nature has bestowed upon us is to express empathy, sympathy, compassion, and kindness towards other beings. There are infinite such instances when humanity has traversed great distances to ensure unfortunate people are served with humane offerings to lighten their miseries. These are appreciative measures and characteristic traits that are worthy of emulation by each one of us. Mind you, all scriptures, teachings, and preachings highlight these virtues explicitly.
PC: Malda/Alipurduar
However, we do not live in an ideal world or surroundings simply because the reality encountered on the ground also showcases the other side of human indifference towards fellow human beings that can be labelled only as inhumane, nothing else. Just look at what transpired in Madhya Pradesh recently. It was a horrific incident when a 12-year-old rape survivor walked 8 km in search of help and equally troubling was that no one in Ujjain came forward to assist her. Whatever happened to conscience, consciousness, and compassion is best left to the imagination of people who were found immune to the unprecedented suffering of a child right in front of their eyes. It’s disgusting and utterly unbelievable that none came forward to offer a hand for help.
It’s heartbreaking to know that she was turned down by everyone and had to walk along till the child fell unconscious. Help came only after that. This response to a child visibly in distress holds up a mirror to Indian society. Quick to be animated by the most abstract of subjects, not for the first time have people displayed indifference to a minor or an adult desperately seeking help. What makes the Ujjain incident worse than many others is that no one could use the fear of perpetrators as an excuse. It’s this fear that’s often used to rationalize the disinclination to help victims, who are almost always women. Is there anything to rationalize the indifference to a minor’s visible distress in Ujjain? Sadly, it is not unique in the way people react to violent crimes here.
PC: Human Righta Watch
Sociological research into why people fail to respond led to the discovery of a phenomenon termed as bystander effect with multiple explanations. The most persuasive reasons, which are interrelated, are social influence and diffusion of responsibility. Social influence kicks in when bystanders look to others for guidance. However, as the number of bystanders increases the sense of personal responsibility diffuses, and therefore diminishes. The combined effect leads to tragedies that could well have been averted. The bystander effect cuts across all classes in society. No one is immune to it. Nonetheless, it’s hard to ignore the level of indifference that Indians exhibit to distress around them notwithstanding the bystander effect. Let’s have empathy, please.
