Mass hysteria behind braid chopping: Expert

Bathinda, August 13

Around 10-15 cases of braid chopping have been reported within a short span of 15 days. The chain of events originated in Haryana and quickly spread to the neighbouring state. The incidents gained media attention too.

Nearly half of the braid chopping incidents occurred when the victims were sleeping with their family members. Neither the victims’ families nor the neighbours reported suspicious during or after the incidents took place.

Some victims reportedly experienced severe headache and fainted before they found their braids lying chopped on the floor.

Interestingly, in two cases at least the braids were chopped wittingly to grab public attention.

Dr PD Bansal, a psychiatrist, said, “It is just a case of mass hysteria (collective or group hysteria) wherein people transmit collective illusions of threats, whether real or imaginary, in society through rumours and fear.”

He said the reasons of mass hysteria were uncertainty and fear of unknown, excessive stress, irrational thinking and urge to seek attention.

Although, humans are smart, but sometimes their emotions prevent them from using their mind properly, he said. — TNS