Cameras Over Cry for Help

By Syed Aamir Sharief Qadri

Indeed, Allah has set a predetermined time for everyone’s death. Yet, when we receive the shocking news of a loved one’s sudden passing, it feels as if our hearts freeze and our minds momentarily shut down. This is exactly what happened to me when I heard about the tragic death of my dear relative Sajad Ahmad Shah around 4:30 PM on August 16, 2024. The initial shock left me in a state of disbelief, but as the moments passed, I had to accept this harsh reality and find a way to cope with the profound sadness.

A motorcycle carrying two school teachers, Riyaz Ahmad Dar and Sajad Ahmad Shah, was involved in an accident in the Shopian district, which led to their deaths shortly afterward. The vehicle that ran them over so mercilessly was driven by a young boy who was not of legal driving age. While the victims’ identities were established, the identity of the driver will also be determined. This issue will be resolved by the police and the court. However, there is something important I need to say about this incident, so please listen carefully.

After the burial, while I was on my way home, I stumbled upon a one-minute video clip on social media that left me deeply disturbed. The footage, taken just minutes after the accident, shows the two victims in their final moments, gasping for breath while bystanders stood around them, turning their suffering into a spectacle. The cameraman recorded their last breaths without anyone coming forward to offer assistance; instead, people watched from afar, numb to their pain.

This video starkly highlights the cruelty and insensitivity of the person who filmed it. By recording and then sharing this footage on social media, he committed two profound wrongs: first, by capturing the victims’ final moments, and second, by broadcasting their suffering to the world. Even if Allah might forgive the first act, the second is unforgivable. This individual has turned the anguish of grieving families into a public spectacle. Imagine the torment of the victims’ loved ones as they watch this video—how could anyone be so callous? Those who exploit such tragedies for their own purposes must be held accountable.

The scenes following the accident were deeply sorrowful. As the truth came to light, it was revealed that there had been a delay in taking them to the hospital. They had sustained severe injuries, making survival almost impossible. What will forever haunt their family and loved ones is the realization that no one made an effort to save them in their final moments. No one stepped forward, no one held their heads gently, and no one tried to tend to their wounds. The absence of compassion in their last moments adds to the profound sorrow of their loss.

Witnessing someone’s death should shake a person to their core, but these people turned death into a show. They mocked the very sanctity of life in its final moments. How can anyone with a beating heart in their chest watch such a terrifying scene of death as if it were just entertainment on a TV show? It’s incomprehensible that they could be so cold and indifferent, treating a moment of profound sorrow and loss as mere entertainment.

There is a big difference between imagining something and seeing it with your own eyes. Before this video went viral, the pain might not have been as intense as it is now after seeing the footage. Who would want to see a family member, relative, or friend in such a state? As if the news of the accident and the mourning for their burial wasn’t enough, this cameraman decided to make things worse by sharing the video to gain views, adding to the suffering of the victims’ families. There is no shortage of such heartless individuals in the world who exacerbate others’ misfortunes.

The pain of losing someone isn’t as devastating as witnessing their death being turned into a public display. Just minutes after the accident, when a friend of Sajad Ahmad Shah was desperately crying out for help, no one came forward. A grieving friend was holding his deceased companion, pleading for help, but no one answered his call. This heart-wrenching incident should serve as a powerful lesson for all of us. When someone is in desperate need, no law should stand in the way of offering help.

I understand that strict traffic laws can discourage people from rescuing those in crisis, as helpers might be held responsible during police investigations, making people hesitant to intervene. However, it’s crucial to remember that humanity should always come before the law. If you leave victims alone in such situations, you will regret it for the rest of your life, and perhaps Allah may not forgive this mistake. Remember, those who act according to what is right are never wrong.

According to some, a few people in the crowd helped the driver and three others escape. The underage boys were speeding and recording videos for fun. When they hit a pothole, they swerved into oncoming traffic, lost control, and ran over the motorcycle. Before this accident, the same boy had driven recklessly on this road at high speed four times, despite multiple warnings from people throughout the day, which he ignored.

The question isn’t simply whether these young children are to blame for the tragic deaths of their teachers. The real, heartbreaking question is how children like this can emerge in a society that is guided by well-respected and revered educators. This wasn’t just an accident but a result of reckless behavior. We must reflect on why the new generation is increasingly involved in illegal activities. Despite teachers’ dedication to educating our children, many students skip school and waste time aimlessly. What kind of upbringing is this? Instead of being respected, our teachers are being mistreated, undermining the very foundation of our society.

It’s a harsh truth that outside of Kashmir, when accidents happen, people often ignore the victims until the police arrive. But this was never the case in Kashmir. Here, if someone had an accident, people would rush them to the hospital without a second thought. Today, for the first time, we’re witnessing something different, something heartbreaking. It’s as if even in Kashmir, the spirit of humanity has begun to fade.

• Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer 

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