New Delhi. A statement by Haryana’s GDP OP Singh has created a storm on social media. He said that we definitely check those who ride on Thor and Bullet, because nowadays most of the criminals ride on such vehicles. Does such a question come to your mind that Bullet and Thor are vehicles of criminals? After all, what is the fault of the car or bike in this and what was the thinking of the company making these vehicles and why have these vehicles become so infamous in the society. How did this stereotype develop in the society regarding these vehicles which were once the first choice of the army and policemen?
First of all let’s talk about this cool bike Bullet of Royal Enfield Company. Bullet’s 350 cc engine has been running since 1930. There came a time in the 1950s when the Bullet was adopted by the police and army personnel. Its strength and powerful engine made it recognized as the most suitable motorcycle for police patrolling. Due to the strong performance of Bullet, it was considered better for running on both off-road and highway. More or less, this is the situation with Thor also. When Mahindra launched this jeep cum car in the year 2010, it soon became people’s favorite. From its design itself, it seems to be a car with a very strong and powerful engine. Thor has been designed to run on both off-road and highway.
What was the company’s intention behind making Bullet?
Royal Enfield had designed the Bullet with the vision of being ‘larger than life’. Seeing its strength and performance, the Army had placed an order for 800 bullets in the year 1949. Its manufacturing was once started with a heavy body, but today it is coming in the market with an attractive and modern look. Then it was the choice of the army and police and today it has become the choice of the youth. Currently, during the festival season itself, around 1.75 lakh bullets have been sold, that too within just 42 days. Obviously its craze is continuously increasing even today.
Why is the stereotype of ‘crooks’ created?
If seen on the basis of facts, the stereotype of bullets as criminals does not seem correct. If we only look at the 42-day festival season of September-October, FADA has given figures that around 2.5 lakh Bullet motorcycles have been sold across the country. Now, if the figures of those who commit hooliganism or mischief with bullets are calculated, the number will be much less. Obviously, on the basis of facts, it is not right to say that Bullet sets the stereotype of being a scoundrel. Yes, some incidents have definitely come to light where youth riding Bullets have performed stunts or committed any crime. But, for these few incidents, it does not seem right to put a question mark on a great bike like Bullet.
Some incidents increased the problem
Recently, a news came from Punjab that some upper caste youth beat up a backward caste boy after he was hit by a bullet. More such incidents came to light, due to which an impression was created on social media and society that those who buy bullets have a domineering mentality. But, today’s young generation likes to look strong and modern. You can understand this that compared to a few years ago, today the trend of going to the gym and building a body is increasing among the youth. This does not mean that the youth going to the gym have a domineering mentality. They are only interested in making themselves look good and strong. Similarly, Bullet is also the choice of such youth, who want to look strong and modern and nothing else. Therefore, it would not be right to give the status symbol of ‘mischief and hooliganism’ to any vehicle just because of a few incidents.
Now let’s talk about Thor
Mahindra & Mahindra’s car giving a feeling like ‘The Rock’ i.e. Thor was not the first such product of this company, but in the year 1945 itself, Mahindra had given a similar message by launching the Willys Jeep. The company had tested this jeep to provide a strong vehicle to the army and farmers. The company launched the CJ3A jeep in the year 1949, which you can call the ‘grandmother’ of Thor. Then came the year 2010 when the company put the DNA of its old Jeep in Thor and launched it in the market under the name Thor Desert, no one had even imagined that this car would be so successful. Obviously the company’s intention is to give the same old feeling even today. At that time the target consumers of the company were the army and farmers and today they are the youth. The youth want something strong and modern which Thor brilliantly gives them.
Why is there a mentality about Thor?
Although Thor has been in the market for only 15 years, but so many incidents related to it have come to light that it has been given the symbol of ‘hooliganism’ on social media. Recently many stunt videos, accidents and incidents have come to light with Thor. Somewhere someone was driving upside down on the highway and somewhere someone was roaming around sitting on rooftops. Recently in Haryana itself, an ACP’s son crushed someone with a Thor and ran away. Of all the road rage cases registered by the police in many cities, Thor has been involved in 20 percent of them. However, despite these incidents, instead of pointing fingers at this vehicle, it would be better if people should focus on changing their mindset.
What is the police’s opinion on Bullet and Thor?
