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ShareMumbai: Mobs vandalised three public hospitals in the city after deaths of two patients due to various reasons. Cases of mob brutality have occurred in the past as well. DNA asks if we are turning into an intolerant society.
Don't allow miscreants to go scot-free
It is ironic that in the country of Mahatma Gandhi, violence is becoming a part of life. People are becoming intolerant towards others and are resorting to violence. A common man feels the only option left to make their viewpoint heard is by resorting to bloodshed. Nevertheless, people cannot be allowed to go scot-free. Nobody can take law into their hands. People who vandalised the hospitals should be punished because they cannot put the lives of other patients and hospital staff in jeopardy.
--Bhavna Shukla
Authorities must throw the book at violators
Such incidents which would actually shock people earlier, have become a common occurrence now. Mob violence is a common thing in the city for people to voice their demands. I don't think that the authorities are being lenient. People have become intolerant, impatient and avoid thinking practically. With many such incidents happening, people believe that this is a way of venting their frustration. There is an act against vandalising public property. Police should strictly use the laws.
--Umesh Patil
If police act impartiality, mob violence will reduce
It is appaling to read that people resort to vandalising public property. We are becoming intolerant as things don't happen in an organised way which leads to frustration. They feel that their voices are being ignored and authorities are being negligent towards their woes. But one should opt for better communication to find a resolution. Police are lenient and avoid taking strict action against people involved. If police act strictly, miscreants will refrain from committing such acts. The healthcare sector is deteriorating rapidly.
--Roshni D
An eye for an eye will make everyone blind
The healthcare sector is in a pathetic condition. The government-run hospitals lack basic amenities. Attendants lack basic etiquette. A common man cannot afford private hospitals today. Mob fury should be the last resort for those who want to get their voice heard. Vandalising hospitals and damaging public property is not the way out and might not serve the purpose, but it has become a convenient option. People must consider the consequences of harming public property. 'An eye for an eye' will make everyone blind.--Manoj Makwana
Expert view
Mobs foster false sense of security and machismo
Today, the tolerance level of people is diminishing and they want everything their way. The demands of society are increasing and people want to be served immediately - this is the root cause of violence.
People resort to mob culture because it gives them a false sense of security and machismo. It is also known as herd mentality. If an individual resorts to violence and tries to damage public property, he or she will be blamed and caught immediately. Whereas in a mob, people know it is difficult to bring violators to book.
Many think that their demands will be heard and resolved, if they resort to violence. If a person is paying for something then he wants good service too. This entitlement syndrome makes people feel superior and they feel that they can resort to any method if their demands are not fulfiled.
The public needs to think calmly about the consequences before resorting to rash acts. We are becoming like children as we don't think of consequences, but react instantly.We have to be more patient.
-Malini Shah,counsellor, Aavishkar Centre
Hospital staff must be courteous
Idon't think people taking the law into their hands and damaging public property is justified. Although such occurrences might have happened due to negligence on part of the doctors.
The manner in which government hospitals function is appaling. There are people waiting in long queues for doctors to attend to them. Sometimes patients and their kin don't get a satisfactory answer to their queries. Sensitive queries are treated with frivolity.
I'm not implying that the staff must go out of their way to help people. When talking to patients and their kin, attendants must not be rude or brusque. They must be equipped with soft skills and have basic courtesy.
Basically the system to needs to improve, they need to respond to their doubts or else mob behaviour will continue to occur as people vent their ire. Not just medical specialists, but professionals from other sectors are at the receiving end of vigilantism. Somewhere the media too plays a role in highlighting such incidents.
Sometimes constant coverage of such incidents or lionising someone who resorts to vigilante justice has an impact on people. It may encourage them to use violence as a tool.
-Ravi Duggal, healthcare activist
