The road rage incident in Jammu’s Gandhi Nagar area, involving a 20-year-old Thar driver, Manan Anand, is not merely a case of rash driving-it is a chilling example of intentional, cold-blooded violence that warrants urgent societal reflection and swift legal action. What unfolded on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, captured in a gut-wrenching CCTV video, is not only shocking but also deeply disturbing. This was no ordinary hit-and-run. The sequence of events-a speeding Thar crashing into a scooty ridden by 68-year-old Kamal Dutt, followed by the driver deliberately reversing the vehicle to run over the injured man again, then stepping out to hurl abuses before fleeing the scene-displays a level of cruelty and apathy that defies comprehension. The elderly man, now battling for life in critical condition, did not just fall victim to reckless driving but to a mindset devoid of empathy, accountability, or fear of the law.
The police have rightly invoked Section 109 of the BNS (attempt to murder), in addition to other charges, seized the offending vehicle and arrested the accused. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to bring the culprit to justice immediately. This is not just about punishing one individual; it is about reinforcing that no one-regardless of age, family background, or education-is above the law. This horrifying episode also raises deeply unsettling questions about the moral compass of today’s youth and the failure of certain parental frameworks. When even widespread CCTV surveillance fails to deter such brutality, one must ask: what values are being instilled at home and in society? How can a young engineering student turn into a remorseless aggressor, capable of attacking a helpless senior citizen?
In a society that fights to protect even stray animals, this blatant disregard for human life is unacceptable. The bystanders’ inaction adds another layer to the problem-the growing apathy among citizens. This incident must serve as a turning point. A full psycho-behavioural analysis of the accused could offer vital insights into the rising aggression, entitlement, and detachment seen among sections of the youth.
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