Hyderabad: Every weekend, a group of young people in Hyderabad causes trouble by performing illegal and dangerous bike stunts and engaging in street racing. These activities mainly happen late at night, especially in the IT Corridor of the city. The bikers are mostly looking for attention by making short videos and reels for social media.
In the past two months, the police have registered cases against over 250 youngsters, aged between 19 and 26. Just last week, 40 cases were filed in the western part of the city. These young riders disturb the peace by making loud noises and performing risky tricks. Frustrated residents have complained to the police, asking for strict action against these reckless acts.
During the Diwali festival, a group of bikers sparked outrage after videos of them performing dangerous stunts went viral on social media. Some even performed stunts in an auto-rickshaw, and one rider lit firecrackers while riding his bike. Other youngsters were seen filming these stunts, adding to the chaos.
Many people on social media expressed their anger about these incidents. They called on the police to take swift action to stop such reckless behaviour on the city’s roads. The viral videos have made it clear that some young people are risking their lives for online fame and social media attention.
On Sunday, senior IPS officer and TGSRTC Managing Director VC Sajjanar strongly condemned these actions. He shared videos of the stunts on X (formerly Twitter), and questioned, “What kind of thrill is this on a festival day? Where is society heading?” His comments highlighted the dangers and disruptions caused by these bikers.
In one incident, bikers were seen performing stunts with firecrackers attached to their bikes. This led the police to file cases against ten of them. Their bikes were seized, and the police warned that harsher consequences would follow if such behaviour continued.
Reckless stunts aren’t limited to bikers. Recently, an auto-rickshaw driver performed dangerous tricks on the road, causing concern. The video, shared on YouTube by a user named ‘Raju Auto Driver Hyderabad’ on October 24, raised safety alarms. Other troubling incidents include a boy wearing a burqa to harass women on the streets and a youth throwing currency notes in the middle of a busy road for a video.
Observers are worried about the rising trend of dangerous stunts for social media fame. Young people are risking their lives by standing on bikes, doing wheelies, and skidding on roads. One observer, Asif Hussain Sohail, emphasized the need for the police to catch these individuals and provide counselling about safe riding. He also suggested that parents should be aware of the dangerous activities their children engage in for the sake of online content. Reliable influencers could play a role in promoting safer, more responsible ways to create videos.
