Since r2i a few months back, one thing has constantly bothered me especially while driving on Indian roads: mob fury.
If you are involved in an accident a mob collects in no time. Now if a pedestrain is involved it is even more scary. In the case of a pedestrain or a two wheeler being involved with a car, it doesn't matter whose fault it is. Mob retaliation is very likely. How does one protect himself in such a situation ? Can we keep some weapon in the car ? Or do you look for a driver who is 6'5" and weighs 250 pounds ?
Just today my driver just bumped very slightly a pedestrian (it was my driver's fault). We were passing through a rough area of the city in Pune in broad daylight. The person right away started yelling profanities at my driver. I intervened and said sorry numerous times. Luckily he walked away but the situation might have been different. He was a local of that area and I could see in his face that he was ready for an altercation. My wife and kids were also in the car.
Any tips from folks who have faced such situations ?
Thanks.
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
This situation is probably worse in Delhi per news reports. The notorious Blue line caused one such thing yet again.
Some tips I can think of:
Always keep a few thousands of cash in the car handy. Money can usually hush up the initial surge of anger, if you are ready to hand over money on the spot for any dents/injuries.
If the injury is serious, rush immediately to put the victim in your car or someone else's taxi/vehicle. If you volunteer and take care of the situation within 5 minutes, mob won't have a chance to assemble.
In the worst case, if you get beaten, just lie down and take the hit. Don't fight back which will make the situation worse.
Some tips I can think of:
Always keep a few thousands of cash in the car handy. Money can usually hush up the initial surge of anger, if you are ready to hand over money on the spot for any dents/injuries.
If the injury is serious, rush immediately to put the victim in your car or someone else's taxi/vehicle. If you volunteer and take care of the situation within 5 minutes, mob won't have a chance to assemble.
In the worst case, if you get beaten, just lie down and take the hit. Don't fight back which will make the situation worse.
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
Neither of the following is a how to deal guide.
In Madras, about 20+ years ago, there were gangs, of which one member would deliberately get hit by a car slightly, others members would create a ruckus as if they were neutral passersby, demand money and share the loot.
In Delhi, again about 20+ years ago, perhaps because of the culture which is known to be frontier agri culture :), in the event of a small accident, where fault lines are bit blurred, the guy who is acts more aggressive, shouts more expletives, and catches the other guys's collar first - was considered "right". :)
In Madras, about 20+ years ago, there were gangs, of which one member would deliberately get hit by a car slightly, others members would create a ruckus as if they were neutral passersby, demand money and share the loot.
In Delhi, again about 20+ years ago, perhaps because of the culture which is known to be frontier agri culture :), in the event of a small accident, where fault lines are bit blurred, the guy who is acts more aggressive, shouts more expletives, and catches the other guys's collar first - was considered "right". :)
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back_in_des
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:51 pm
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
bantu;49665Since r2i a few months back, one thing has constantly bothered me especially while driving on Indian roads: mob fury.
If you are involved in an accident a mob collects in no time. Now if a pedestrain is involved it is even more scary. In the case of a pedestrain or a two wheeler being involved with a car, it doesn't matter whose fault it is. Mob retaliation is very likely. How does one protect himself in such a situation ? Can we keep some weapon in the car ? Or do you look for a driver who is 6'5" and weighs 250 pounds ?
Just today my driver just bumped very slightly a pedestrian (it was my driver's fault). We were passing through a rough area of the city in Pune in broad daylight. The person right away started yelling profanities at my driver. I intervened and said sorry numerous times. Luckily he walked away but the situation might have been different. He was a local of that area and I could see in his face that he was ready for an altercation. My wife and kids were also in the car.
Any tips from folks who have faced such situations ?
Thanks.
I got into similar incident when my driver touched a scooter couple of years back in an extremely slow bumper to bumper traffic. My driver scolded him and that was enough for the scooter guy to raise a hue and cry and lift a brick from road-side and threaten to break the glass.
My driver wanted to fight, but I intervened and said sorry a few times, the man cooled down and went away without asking for any money, genuinely angered.
Resolve it as fast as you can, before the mob builds up. If it's not getting resolved, walk the involved party away from the mob to talk to him. Mob will dissipate.
It helps if you speak the local language.
I think, the key is, not to show weakness or fear and be calming at the same time.
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
about 15 yrs back, we were driving down from delhi to Gahziabad, it was late and night and in a lonely stretch of the road the road was blocked by some people. when we stopped we were approached by the same, who first wanted our vehicle to take someone to the hospital, when my father refused, they got aggressive (by now a large group) and threatened force, at this point my father (ex-airforce) took out his pistol from the glove compartment and said something to effect that he is a police inspector and waved the pistol (not loaded), the crowd subsided meekly and even unblocked the road.
Also we could not see any injured person on the road (the person who need to be taken to the hospital)
I think in north India one has to be aggressive in these cases. Also if you can make an allegation that you are a person of high authority, say a politician or a police inspector that helps. Of course there is no deterrent like a small fire-arm.
Also we could not see any injured person on the road (the person who need to be taken to the hospital)
I think in north India one has to be aggressive in these cases. Also if you can make an allegation that you are a person of high authority, say a politician or a police inspector that helps. Of course there is no deterrent like a small fire-arm.
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
I ran into a similar situation few yrs back on Jaipur - Delhi highway. It was me, my wife and the driver during late night.
The problem is that usually drivers like to handle the situation in their own way..i.e. play rough but it doesn't work in rural areas...around highways with rough locals who give no importance to value of Life.
The opposite party was very agressive, they could have easily pulled guns/knives. I told my driver to shut up and avoid arguments. Also told other party leader "leave it yaar" in a very soft..submissive way.
Just apologise and leave quickly. It is all about Ego..for the most part regardless where you happen to be.
In case there's an injury, offer help..take the person to hospital, bear expenses. It might not work if the opposite party is too outraged..then leaving the site would be better to save your life. Be quick to judge.
Anyway..this is based on my experience in North India which I would say..gets roughest.
The problem is that usually drivers like to handle the situation in their own way..i.e. play rough but it doesn't work in rural areas...around highways with rough locals who give no importance to value of Life.
The opposite party was very agressive, they could have easily pulled guns/knives. I told my driver to shut up and avoid arguments. Also told other party leader "leave it yaar" in a very soft..submissive way.
Just apologise and leave quickly. It is all about Ego..for the most part regardless where you happen to be.
In case there's an injury, offer help..take the person to hospital, bear expenses. It might not work if the opposite party is too outraged..then leaving the site would be better to save your life. Be quick to judge.
Anyway..this is based on my experience in North India which I would say..gets roughest.
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
We are talking about small personal vehicles here. Imagine being a bus driver in India and surviving a mob fury!
Last year:
MOB FURY: A partially burnt BMTC bus at Nagawara in Bangalore on Wednesday. ? Photo: K. Murali Kumar
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/06/stories/2006070620980300.htm
Just yesterday another bus burnt due to mob fury near Chikkasandra, Bangalore.
http://www.sanjevani.com/
Last year:
MOB FURY: A partially burnt BMTC bus at Nagawara in Bangalore on Wednesday. ? Photo: K. Murali Kumar
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/06/stories/2006070620980300.htm
Just yesterday another bus burnt due to mob fury near Chikkasandra, Bangalore.
http://www.sanjevani.com/
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Desi_by_Nature
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:57 pm
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
I've driven in Delhi for many years.
Generally speaking if you look like a white collar guy or if you are a female the crowd will usually spare you for minor stuff. They know that it's not your usual thing to drive wild.
People who seem to get mobbed the most are chauffeurs, college/school students, two wheeler owners, auto drivers, bus drivers.
As someone mentioned earlier, it all boils down to an ego thing usually. If you are willing to admit your mistake and apologize, people will be more sympathetic. If the situation seems to be getting out of hand, call the police - and make sure you make it clear to the crowd that you are calling the police. People who have no business in the affair will leave as soon as they hear that.
I disagree about keeping cash in the car as #2 said. Money may solve some problems, but when you are at the mercy of the public and it becomes obvious that you're handing out cash to dissolve the matter - you will actually end up inviting more attention and more trouble.
Also keeping large amounts of cash in the car just seems like an open invitation to burglars.
Generally speaking if you look like a white collar guy or if you are a female the crowd will usually spare you for minor stuff. They know that it's not your usual thing to drive wild.
People who seem to get mobbed the most are chauffeurs, college/school students, two wheeler owners, auto drivers, bus drivers.
As someone mentioned earlier, it all boils down to an ego thing usually. If you are willing to admit your mistake and apologize, people will be more sympathetic. If the situation seems to be getting out of hand, call the police - and make sure you make it clear to the crowd that you are calling the police. People who have no business in the affair will leave as soon as they hear that.
I disagree about keeping cash in the car as #2 said. Money may solve some problems, but when you are at the mercy of the public and it becomes obvious that you're handing out cash to dissolve the matter - you will actually end up inviting more attention and more trouble.
Also keeping large amounts of cash in the car just seems like an open invitation to burglars.
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Chicago Desi
- Posts: 1642
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:24 am
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
Carrying a gun/pistol seems to be the best way of defending self. Is that legal? What documents would one need?
Protection against mob fury in India while driving ?
Keep the car at home and travel in auto rickshaw. Nobody messes up with the auto rickshaw driver. If something happens, ditch the auto and get a new one on the spot.
I think there is no way one can avoid hitting some one or getting hit, driving in the crowded narrow roads of India. There is no clearcut formula to deal with the situation. If you do not know the local language, the situation will get very bad irrespective of whose fault it is.
I think there is no way one can avoid hitting some one or getting hit, driving in the crowded narrow roads of India. There is no clearcut formula to deal with the situation. If you do not know the local language, the situation will get very bad irrespective of whose fault it is.