KATHMANDU: On April 8, a fatal incident at the Krishna Mandir premises in Patan, Lalitpur, exposed a troubling social trend.
Sanjeev Nepali of Bhuldhoka, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-9, killed brothers Sumit Nembang (33) and Sirjan Nembang (26), originally from Kamal Rural Municipality-6, Jhapa, following a dispute triggered by a wrong phone call. What began as a misunderstanding escalated into a violent altercation and ultimately a stabbing.
Video footage of the incident shows the two sides arguing and physically fighting before the fatal attack. Despite the temple being a crowded public place, bystanders did not intervene. Instead, many were seen recording the incident on their phones.
A similar case surfaced on April 7 in Basantapur, Kathmandu, where a video of a man assaulting an elderly person went viral. Prakash Khatri (42), a resident of Chandragiri Municipality-10, was seen beating Ram Avtar Das, who has lived in Thamel for 37 years. Although security personnel were present, no visible attempt was made to stop the assault or protect the victim.
Police say both individuals are tourist guides, and the dispute may have stemmed from competition over clients. Authorities are investigating Khatri after obtaining permission from the District Administration Office.
In yet another recent incident in Dailekh, a group assault escalated into a stabbing. Witnesses can be heard shouting for intervention, but most bystanders focused on recording the incident rather than preventing it. The desire to capture “viral content” appeared to outweigh the instinct to help.
These incidents collectively highlight a disturbing shift in social behavior. Public spaces once defined by community response are increasingly marked by passive observation. Sociologists warn that such patterns indicate a decline in empathy and collective responsibility in Nepali society, raising serious concerns about the erosion of human values and social solidarity.
In the past, communities were bound by a strong sense of mutual care—people corrected one another’s mistakes, supported neighbors in times of hardship, and stepped in to mediate conflicts. Today, however, that spirit appears to be fading.
With the rise of digital culture, cooperation and coexistence are increasingly giving way to individualism. Instead of resolving disputes, many now choose to record and share them online, turning moments of violence or distress into content for likes, views, and social media attention.
A society forgetting responsibility in pursuit of views
Sociologist Sabita Prasai observes that social responsibility is gradually eroding. Speaking to Khabarhub, she noted that the earlier collective mindset of “we” is being replaced by a more self-centered “me and mine” attitude, which fosters indifference toward others’ suffering.
According to her, people instinctively reach for their phones to record incidents, as platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube reward visibility and engagement. As a result, sensitive situations such as fights and accidents are increasingly treated as opportunities for viral content rather than moments that call for empathy and intervention.
Prasai further warns that repeated exposure to such content is desensitizing people. Over time, individuals become less emotionally responsive to real-life incidents, raising the risk of a society that is detached and unfeeling.
When compassion weakens, communities risk turning into passive spectators—witnessing pain without acting to alleviate it.
She emphasizes the need for awareness at multiple levels—individual, family, societal, and state. While technology itself is not harmful, its use reflects human values and choices. Small, responsible actions by individuals can help restore social balance.
Prasai stresses that moral education within families and schools is essential, as humanity is not only an inherent value but also something that must be continuously taught and passed on through generations.
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