A short video that emerged from Jamvi, Bihar state, caused significant concern among viewers. Although the video itself was shocking, it touched upon deep emotional chords. The anger was provoked not only by several hooligans who behaved inappropriately towards two minors but also by the crowd of onlookers who stood silently without intervening.
The frightened girl remained the focus, appearing like an injured animal surrounded by predators—she seemed extremely helpless and vulnerable. The video from September 19th sparked a wave of anger and anxiety among everyone who saw it. After the video went viral, administrative bodies began to act, and arrests were made.
However, beyond this, deeper questions related to public consciousness are being raised. This incident from Jamvi is not just a story of crime; it calls into question society's tendency to avoid complex issues. Our habit of remaining silent when witnessing a crime, the inclination to flee responsibility while in a crowd, and the role of a system that often activates only after an event require reflection.
It is easy to reduce this situation to the actions of a few young people. However, it is more difficult to admit that criminals do not appear suddenly. They are formed in the society in which they grow up, absorbing its language, observing jokes about women, and internalizing the notion of violence as masculine prowess. Often, they absorb the idea that humiliating or invading the privacy of a weak person is not a serious crime.
When the societal concept of honor becomes more important than the girl's desire, and instead of teaching the boy consent, he is taught what a 'big man' he should be, crime is born not only on the street. Its roots run much deeper—into the home, the school, friendship, and social behavior.
Another alarming aspect of the Jamvi incident is the involvement of juvenile defendants. This makes one think about how the adolescent mind develops. Mobile phones and the internet have connected children to the world, but have they been given the moral and emotional preparation to understand this world? Do they possess a developed sense of duty? They may know about rights, but do they understand another person's dignity? We gave children smartphones, but perhaps we missed the opportunity to explain to them that a photograph, a body, private life, or another person's disagreement is as important as their own rights.
Then there is society, which is the main witness to events but often turns out to be the weakest link. Crowds gather, people film and spread what is happening, but in this crowd, there is no courage to stop a crime happening right before their eyes. Thus, one person's tragedy turns into a digital spectacle.
The question is not why the video was recorded, as sometimes video becomes crucial evidence of a crime. But we must ask ourselves: is the recording more important than helping a person who is crying out for help? In the Jamvi case, the police began taking action against social media accounts that disseminated the video revealing the victim's identity. This shows that the crime does not end on the street—it pursues the victim online as well.
Perhaps the most dangerous trait of our time is this culture of bystanders. Previously, the crowd simply observed the event; now, it records it. Previously, an insult remained within a small circle of communication; now, it can reach millions of screens in minutes. We live in a digital age, but our social sensitivity often lags behind it. It is necessary to realize that viral popularity is not justice. Spreading a video of a crime among millions does not guarantee justice for the victim; sometimes it becomes yet another punishment for them.
Naturally, questions arise regarding the system. Having laws and applying them promptly are two different things. We have laws such as POCSO, the juvenile justice system, and cyber police, but the true strength of the law is demonstrated in the speed and reliability of its enforcement. If the victim is initially uncertain about receiving justice, they will not believe in the system. If the police learn about the event from a viral video on social media, then questions will be asked not only of the criminals but also of the system that should prevent such incidents.
In the Jamvi case, the police created a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and arrest the suspects, but the questions raised after the incident cannot be separated from the question of the system's accountability.
Speaking of the system, one cannot ignore language. Although for convenience in statistical debates, a serious crime can be called an isolated incident, this does not diminish the victim's suffering. For the girl, this incident is not an isolated case, and for her family, it is not. For the boy who witnessed his friend's humiliation, it is not...