by Syed Aamir Sharief Qadri
Strict traffic laws may indeed make people hesitant to assist accident victims, fearing legal repercussions. But humanity must always come before the law. Leaving victims to die in their suffering is a regret that can never be erased, and perhaps not even Allah will forgive such negligence. Those who act with courage and compassion in such moments are never in the wrong.
It is a fundamental belief that Allah has decreed the time of every soul’s departure. Yet, when the sudden loss of a loved one strikes, it shatters the heart, leaving us frozen in disbelief. This is exactly what happened to me upon hearing of the tragic death of my dear relative, Sajad Ahmad Shah, on the fateful afternoon of August 16, 2024. The shock initially numbed my senses, but as the moments passed, I had to confront the cruel reality and navigate the overwhelming grief.
Sajad and his colleague, Riyaz Ahmad Dar—both dedicated schoolteachers—were involved in a horrific motorcycle accident in Shopian. The cause? A vehicle recklessly driven by an underage boy. While the authorities will address the legal aspects of this tragedy, there is a deeper issue that demands our attention, one that weighs heavily on my heart.
On the way home from the burial, I came across a one-minute video circulating on social media that left me utterly disturbed. The footage, filmed moments after the accident, captured the victims gasping for breath as bystanders stood by, indifferent to their suffering. Instead of offering assistance, they chose to record the dying moments of these two innocent men. The fact that their final breaths were turned into a spectacle for the world to see is not just heartbreaking—it is a gross violation of basic humanity.
This video is a stark reminder of the cruelty and desensitisation that has crept into our society. The individual who filmed and shared this footage is guilty of two grievous wrongs. First, by recording the victims’ final moments, he violated their dignity. Second, by broadcasting their suffering to the world, he deepened the anguish of their grieving families. The pain of seeing a loved one reduced to a viral clip is unimaginable. Even if Allah might forgive the first act, the second feels unforgivable. The torment of those left behind is magnified by the callousness of this act.
The aftermath of the accident was as sorrowful as it was revealing. As the truth unfolded, we learned that there had been a delay in getting the victims to the hospital. Their injuries were severe, making survival unlikely, but what will haunt their loved ones forever is the realization that no one made an effort to save them in their final moments. No one stepped forward to offer comfort, to cradle their heads, or even attempt to stop the bleeding. The absence of compassion in their last moments adds an unbearable weight to their loss.
Witnessing death should shake a person to their core. Instead, these bystanders turned death into a spectacle, mocking the sanctity of life in its most vulnerable moment. How could anyone with a heart in their chest stand idly by, watching such a tragic scene as though it were entertainment? It is incomprehensible that they could be so cold, treating a moment of profound sorrow as if it were merely a show.
There is a vast difference between imagining tragedy and witnessing it firsthand. Before the video went viral, the pain was already immense, but seeing it played out on a screen makes it unbearable. Who would want to see a beloved family member, relative, or friend in such a state? As if the shock of the accident and the mourning of their burial weren’t enough, this video adds an extra layer of suffering to the families. In a world increasingly filled with heartless individuals who thrive on the misfortune of others, this is just one more painful example.
The true tragedy isn’t just the loss of these two lives—it’s the realisation that people can be so indifferent. Even as Sajad Ahmad Shah’s friend desperately cried out for help, clutching his lifeless companion, no one came to his aid. This heart-wrenching incident should serve as a powerful lesson to all of us: when someone is in desperate need, no law, no fear, should prevent us from offering help.
Strict traffic laws may indeed make people hesitant to assist accident victims, fearing legal repercussions. But humanity must always come before the law. Leaving victims to die in their suffering is a regret that can never be erased, and perhaps not even Allah will forgive such negligence. Those who act with courage and compassion in such moments are never in the wrong.
There are rumours that some in the crowd even helped the driver and his friends escape. These underage boys, joyriding recklessly, caused the crash when they lost control of their vehicle. This wasn’t just an accident—it was the inevitable result of reckless behaviour. The real, heartbreaking question is: How did such recklessness come to define a generation? Despite the dedication of teachers like Sajad and Riyaz, many students today skip school and squander their time aimlessly. What kind of upbringing leads to such disregard for life and responsibility?
In Kashmir, we once took great pride in our shared unity and togetherness. When accidents occurred, people rushed to help, ensuring the injured were taken to hospitals without delay. But now, for the first time, we are witnessing a heartbreaking shift—where even in Kashmir, the spirit of humanity seems to be fading.
(Blogger, Syed Aamir Sharief has a master’s in history and MPhil from  Punjabi University Patiala. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kashmir Life.)
