Through which persuation method the crowd may be controlled and satisfied
Crowd is a part
of human society. In every society, at different times, people come together in
groups. Sometimes these groups are permanent, like families, organizations, or
institutions. But sometimes groups are temporary. A temporary group is one
which is formed suddenly for a short time and disappears after some time. A crowd is one such temporary group.
A crowd is
usually not organized. It comes into existence suddenly in certain situations
like accidents, protests, demonstrations, or emergencies. For example, if an
accident happens on the road, within a few minutes people gather there. If
there is a protest in a market, immediately a group of people collect there.
This group of people is called a crowd.
Nature of a
Crowd
1.Temporary existence – The crowd forms suddenly and remains only for a
short time. Once the event is over, the crowd disappears.
2.No fixed
organization – In a crowd, there
is no leader, no rules, no planned structure. People just assemble without
discipline.
3.Emotional behavior – A crowd is often guided by emotions rather than
logic. People act in excitement, fear, anger, or sympathy.
4.Possibility of
violence – Many times, the crowd
may become violent. For example, during protests, accidents, or demonstrations,
people may lose control and create damage.
5.Influence of
rumors – A crowd is very
sensitive to rumors. If one person spreads wrong information, the whole crowd
may get disturbed.
6.Unnecessary
disturbance – Many times, the
crowd creates unnecessary problems. For example, in an accident, instead of
helping, people just block the road, shout loudly, or even fight.
Why Crowd
Becomes Violent
A crowd can be
peaceful but there is always a chance of violence. The reasons are:
1.Emotional excitement – People in a crowd lose individual thinking and
follow emotions.
2.Rumors and false
information – Wrong messages can
quickly make people angry.
3.Imitation – If one person throws a stone, others may start
copying.
4.Lack of leadership – Without guidance, people act in disorderly ways.
5.External influence – Sometimes anti-social elements join the crowd and
create trouble.
That is why
many times crowds are connected with violence, destruction, or unnecessary
disturbance.
Importance of
Crowd Control
It is very
important to control a crowd. If the crowd is not managed at the right time, it
can result in:
·
Loss of life and
property
·
Damage to peace
and order of society
·
Fear and
insecurity among people
·
Wastage of
resources of police and administration
Therefore,
controlling and satisfying the crowd is a serious responsibility.
Crowd Control
Methods
There are two
main ways of controlling a crowd:
1.Force method – Police use lathi charge, tear gas, or even firing
in extreme cases. This is a strict method.
2.Persuasion method – Using communication, reasoning, and peaceful
negotiation to calm the crowd.
In democratic
society, persuasion method is more important because it avoids violence,
protects rights, and maintains peace without force.
Persuasion
Methods to Control Crowd
Persuasion
means convincing people through words, arguments, and behavior. It is a soft
method but very effective if used properly. The following persuasion techniques
can help control and satisfy a crowd:
1. Communication through Leaders
·
Every crowd has
some influential persons or natural leaders.
·
Police or
administration should identify such leaders and talk with them.
·
If leaders are
convinced, they can guide the crowd to stay peaceful.
2. Use of Public Address System
·
Speaking directly
to the crowd through microphone, loudspeaker, or megaphone.
·
Giving clear,
calm, and correct information prevents rumors.
·
Example: In case
of accident, police should announce that help is coming and people should
cooperate.
3. Appeal to Emotions
·
People in crowd
are emotional. Appealing to their sympathy, humanity, or responsibility can
calm them.
·
Example:
Requesting people to allow ambulance to pass for saving life.
4. Assurance and Promises
·
Crowd often
gathers due to dissatisfaction or anger.
·
Authorities
should assure that their problems will be heard and solved.
·
Example: During
protest, officials can promise to accept memorandum or arrange meeting with
higher authority.
5. Providing Correct Information
·
Many times
violence starts due to rumors.
·
Giving true facts
immediately can stop confusion.
·
Example: If rumor
spreads that someone died in accident, police should clarify the actual
condition.
6. Negotiation and Dialogue
·
Sitting with
representatives of the crowd and discussing their issues.
·
When people feel
heard, their anger reduces.
7. Use of Respectful Language
·
Crowd should
never be insulted or threatened in rude words.
·
Polite,
respectful language creates trust and reduces tension.
8. Role of Media and Social
Media
·
Media can spread
positive messages to calm people.
·
Officials can use
social media to update correct news and prevent rumors.
9. Nonverbal Persuasion
·
Sometimes actions
speak louder than words.
·
Quick action like
sending ambulance, arranging water, or solving small demands immediately can calm
the crowd.
10. Appeal by Known Personalities
·
Religious
leaders, local respected persons, or popular figures can appeal to the crowd
for peace.
·
People often
listen to those whom they respect.
Example
Situations of Persuasion in Crowd Control
1.Accident Scene – Police can request people to give way to emergency
vehicles, assure them that proper inquiry will be done, and thank them for
cooperation.
2.Protest
Demonstration – Administration
can accept memorandum, promise to arrange talks, and request crowd to disperse
peacefully.
3.Communal Tension – Leaders of both communities can be brought together
to appeal for harmony.
4.Natural Disaster
Situation – Officials can
announce relief arrangements and request people not to panic.
Why Persuasion
is Better
·
Avoids use of
force and injuries
·
Creates trust
between people and authority
·
Maintains
democratic values of freedom of speech and protest
·
Solves problems
in long-term by dialogue
·
Prevents
unnecessary damage to public property
Challenges in
Persuasion
Although
persuasion is effective, it has some difficulties:
1.If the crowd is too angry, they may not listen
immediately.
2.If rumors are very strong, people may reject official
version.
3.Anti-social elements may not want peaceful solution.
4.Sometimes quick control is required where persuasion
takes time.
Therefore,
persuasion must be combined with alertness, patience, and preparation.
A crowd is a temporary group formed suddenly
in situations like accident, protest, or demonstration. It has the possibility
of becoming violent and creating unnecessary problems. But through proper
persuasion methods, a crowd can be controlled and satisfied without force.
Communication, assurance, negotiation, and respectful behavior are the main
tools of persuasion. By using these methods, peace can be maintained, violence
avoided, and trust built between people and authorities.
Thus, persuasion is not only a method of crowd control, but also a way to strengthen democracy and social harmony.
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