A recent video from the country which has alarmed and shocked the community has already raised serious concern for the safety of the road in the country. A Mahindra Thar driver, a popular Indian SUV, rode in India and posted a video of himself on the wrong side of the road. He said his willingness to spend ₹20 lakh on the vehicle freed him to drive as he chooses. Its jaw dropping display of arrogance and rejection of traffic law enforcement rules has sparked criticism online so rampant that it’s raised serious questions about responsible vehicle ownership and the culture of entitlement.
What Happened?
(This video, which was posted by the Thar owner himself, features him driving confidently on the wrong side of a busy road.) The video caption goes “BENEFIT OF THAR,” insinuating that possessing the power of the vehicle somehow makes one okay committing some crime. The tweet that triggered the incident was posted on News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) which made it viral. The driver from the clip doesn’t seem to be concerned about traffic approaching him or the risk he poses to anyone else. Rather, he insists that having spent ₹20 lakh on his SUV entitles him to drive according to his whims. That statement, and that, speaks to an untenable mindset, one in which money and status are all that is used to justify breaking rules and endangering lives.
SHOCKER 🚨 A Thar owner uploaded a video showing himself driving on the wrong side of the road 😳
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) January 11, 2026
He proudly claimed that spending ₹20 lakh gives him the freedom to drive however he wants 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iSWQtF8oUs
Why Is This Dangerous?
It’s illegal and incredibly dangerous to drive on the wrong side of the road. It endangers everyone; pedestrians, others who need to drive and even the one driving. The roads have lanes and directions in mind and are intentionally created in order to allow movement that is smooth and safe. Such a breach causes confusion, raises the risk of accidents and even results in death. Road accidents are already a big problem in India. Thousands of people lose their lives each year because of careless traffic and speeding and not following the traffic laws, the government said. There’s a problem when influencers or car owners glamorize this behavior, however they are sending the wrong message to others, particularly to young drivers who may admire them.
The Role of Social Media:
Social media has the power to amplify good behavior and bad. In this case, the video went viral not because people had anything to recommend the driver for but because they simply hadn’t believed what the driver was saying. The irresponsible and selfishness that many users have berated him for. Some referred to him taking legal action. Good is that people are speaking out, but there have been clear examples of how quickly toxic content can be distributed. When someone posts a video like this, they may be trying to show off or gain attention. But the impact can be severe both legally and socially.
What Needs to Change?
This incident shows that car ownership does not mean anyone has special freedom when they use the street. When roadways are heavy, all are equal, rich or famous they may lack. Driving is a duty not a luxury. There should be harsh measures taken against this sort of behaviour. And that warning may need to include fines, a suspension of a license or jail time. Public education messages must then also focus on promoting safe driving and respect for driving laws. Parents, schools and communities also help form attitudes. Teaching road safety and responsible conduct to young people can stop them from experiencing the problem again.
The Thar owner's foolish action is in fact not only an embarrassing video--it serves as a wake-up call. It shows how risky entitlement can be when combined with powerful vehicles and social media bravado. All of this is to say: driving isn’t about displaying one’s power; it's about making sure you and your fellow travelers get out safely. No amount of money can purchase the right to break the law.
