In recent few decades, respect for human life in Jammu & Kashmir state, particularly in Kashmir valley, has been waning. Undoubtedly, de-humanization and social apathy are generally global phenomena in today’s world, yet the level of disrespect for human life in Kashmir must propel a decisive societal action. The latest to evoke concern is the strike observed by the doctors of the valley’s only tertiary hospital – SKIMS. Use of rowdy force by any security system against civilians is always condemnable. The reported manhandling of a few doctors by security personnel at the hospital for whatever reasons cannot be justified. There is no place for such incivility in a civilized society. However, this matter could have been resolved by means other than a strike, which has resulted in tremendous suffering for the patients at the hospital in the last few days. Even as the strike has been called off, questions do remain.  Similarly, a new culture of road blockade by civilians on local matters pertaining to electricity, water, schools, etc. has taken roots in the valley.  No matter how justified the cause, blocking roads and vehicular traffic results in an inhuman act. On the other hand, the menace of stray dog attack on humans, particularly children, has assumed grotesque proportions, yet there is a near-complete governmental apathy. Our roads have become death traps.  There is hardly any concern for safety systems and warning signs on public roads, resulting in avoidable deaths and disabilities every day. There are many such examples at the societal level too. A lack of respect for human rights and dignity at the level of the state is fueling this apathy too. What else otherwise explains blatant violation of traffic rules by government functionaries, resulting in traffic accidents, every day? All this must make us introspect. When disrespect for human life transcends a certain limit, a chaos takes over. Signs of such chaos are visible in Kashmir, and we must stop it before it is too late.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST