It is not just about Ujjain case; many incidents happen in broad daylight – , minors driving two-wheelers, triple riding, acid attacks, molestation etc.
By now, we are all aware of the Ujjain rape case, where a woman was brutally assaulted in broad daylight, and no one dared to intervene. Instead, people were recording this heinous crime on their phones. One of them even uploaded the video on social media. Fortunately, the police have since identified and arrested the individual responsible for recording and sharing the video under various legal provisions.
Today, however, I won’t be discussing the legal aspects of the case, as we’ve been doing that for the past month, especially after the RG Kar Medical College rape case. But that’s not what I am concerned about, instead of that I want to talk a little bit more morality- our moral obligation. In the age of high-tech civilization, somewhere we lost our morality.
Even though we have grown up learning about moral duties in schools, colleges and through religious texts; mostly our actions represent a complete absence of any morbid conscience. We expect others to behave morally toward us, yet we fail to follow those principles ourselves because we don’t want to be held accountable. For some, morality is seen as a weakness; for others, it’s viewed as foolishness.
Why am I raising these questions today?
The Ujjain rape case could have been prevented if passers-by had reacted quickly and stopped the culprit. One intervention could save the victim and restore hope that humanity still exists. It could also act as a strong deterrent against future offenders.
We’ve often seen that in the case of major accidents, whether rail or bus, it is the public who are the first to respond in rescue operations, often before the police or medical teams arrive. Their quick actions have saved countless lives. However, when it comes to accidents involving private vehicles, many of us are hesitant to step in. While some may call the police or an ambulance, they avoid directly helping the victims. Disturbingly, some people even start filming the incident for social media.
What many forget is that such accidents could happen to any of us. In that moment, when we need help, others could just be standing by, recording our suffering. Reports show that many victims die due to blood loss simply because they don’t receive timely medical intervention. This hesitation often stems from the fear of police harassment for getting involved. But believe me, no one will harass you for helping someone in desperate need. The sense of deep and lasting satisfaction you will experience from such an act is far greater than anything a pilgrimage could offer.
So, reflect on your moral obligations. Indeed, we cannot be everywhere to help everyone in need, but we should act promptly when we can. Our quick actions can save lives. In today’s busy world, we often ignore what is happening around us and move ahead. Blaming the government or judiciary is easy, but how many of us truly follow the path of a good Samaritan?
It is not just about the Ujjain case; many incidents happen in broad daylight – collision cases, minors driving two wheelers, triple riding, acid attacks, molestation etc. These are just a few examples of situations that could be controlled and prevented if the public intervened. But we often choose not to. Our fear prevents us from helping others and is what allows others to do more harm to society. We have all forgotten our moral responsibility.
According to Gita, कर्मण्येवािधका रस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मिण॥ This verse I referenced from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 47) which emphasizes performing one›s duty without attachment to the results. Similar concepts appear in both the Quran and the Bible, though expressed differently. In the Quran, the idea of action and its consequences is reflected in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286), where it is mentioned that each soul will be judged based on its actions, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and trust in Allah›s wisdom. Likewise, Surah Al-Imran (3:139) encourages believers to remain steadfast without losing heart if immediate results are not visible. In the Bible, Colossians 3:23 advises believers to work diligently, not for earthly rewards but to honor God, while Proverbs 16:3 urges individuals to commit their work to the Lord, trusting that their plans will be guided accordingly. While these scriptures differ in their language and religious context, they share the common theme of focusing on righteous action and leaving the outcomes to a higher power, aligning with the principle of detachment from the fruits of one’s labor.
Even though our religions teach us to be good Samaritans, we often fail to follow this guidance. We tend to criticize others when they don›t fulfil their duties, but we rarely ask ourselves why we haven›t done the same. We are all responsible for what’s happening around us. Those who pollute the environment forget that the same pollution will affect their own families, as they share the same world with everyone else. Those who sell adulterated food and medicine forget that their loved ones might consume the very same products. We indeed reap what we sow, and this holds for society as well. These basic principles are what we seem to overlook.
We need to overcome our fears and prioritize our religious and social responsibilities. If we want good for ourselves, we must first do good for others. Most wrongful acts can be prevented. Instead of filming someone’s pain and suffering, film acts of kindness—this will inspire others and spread positivity. Before taking any action, think twice or even thrice about the potential consequences.
Dr. Pyali Chatterjee, HOD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, ICFAI University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh