The cold-blooded murder of Ribhu Chawla, a 17-year-old Class XI student, on July 29, by his gym-mates, has sent shockwaves through national capital and prompted a debate on the conduct and orientation of our youth. The story reads like some Bollywood crime film. The police have revealed that one Rocky, who was twice Mr. Delhi and a gym-trainer, had run into a huge debt of Rs. 30 lakh, because of his bad habits and gambling. He was desperately in need of some quick money to clear his debt. He, along with three accomplices, who are also people of questionable character, hatched a conspiracy, and abducted Ribhu, son of a wealthy businessman, when he was returning from school. The dare devils initially demanded Rs. 60 lakh as ransom, but finally came down to 15 lakh. Having collected it, they mercilessly killed the innocent boy by strangling with a nylon rope in their moving car. This proves that bad habits and reckless lifestyle can lead to anti-social behaviour and even worst crimes.
A part of the blame for such heinous crimes can be conveniently apportioned to our violence-filled films which also eulogise illegal sex and portray worst crimes and reprehensible sins. Most of our popular third rate box-office films promote irresponsible and reckless social behaviour and encourage our youth to break moral principles and revolt against time honoured social tragedies. There is a large tribe of money minting writers and film makers who glorify illicit and even unnatural sex (unfortunately some judges are also for it), waywardness, reckless behaviour and a very impressionable minds fall prey to the make-believe-world characters and try to imitate them in their day-to-day life. This trend is responsible for promoting irresponsible behaviour and crimes in our youth.
If we want to build a morally healthy and peace-loving society in India, all negative tendencies should be discouraged. Our writers and film makers ought to present ideal characters to serve as role models for the youth. They youth should be encouraged to follow religious teachers and imbibe high moral principles. Religion can play a very positive and constructive role in moulding the character of our upcoming generations. Further, parents must pay greater attention to their young sons and daughters. They deserve sympathy and mature guidance at this stage of their life. More healthy extra-curricular activities and clean entertainment should be made available to them. They should be engaged in life building and social uplifting activities with stress on moral excellence. Films promoting negative tendencies should be curbed with iron hands. Alcohol should be discouraged, gradually pushed aside and finally banned altogether. No soft corner for this mother of all evils can ensure a good society. Ostentations and luxurious lifestyle, mostly depicted in films should be discouraged and simplicity, purity of thought, fairness of actions, fear and love of God and sympathy for the poor and the downtrodden should be promoted by using media, educational institutions and social organisations. The soaring graph of violence, sexual crimes, murders, etc. is ringing warning bells. Let our social scientists and leaders take an urgent initiative to guide the youth onto the path of moral excellence.