Daman collector makes Thar-Fortuner owners take road safety pledge. Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar says we need these lessons more than driving ones

The Daman administration said on X that a large number of Thar and Fortuner owners took part in the “Thar-Fortuner Sankalp Yatra” and the Road Safety Pledge administered by the District Collector. The administration also tagged Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra in its post.

The road-safety initiative comes amid continued online debate over the public image of the two popular SUVs, particularly the Thar, following several recent incidents involving the vehicle.

The initiative comes at a time when Thar vehicles, in particular, have faced increased scrutiny in public discussions following a series of road accidents and incidents involving the SUV.

Daman brings Thar and Fortuner owners together for road safety pledge

The road-safety campaign in Daman brought together owners of the two SUV models for a public pledge on responsible driving.

The district administration’s social media post described the gathering as part of the “Thar-Fortuner Sankalp Yatra”, with participants taking a road safety pledge before the district collector.

The campaign appears to be aimed at promoting responsible behaviour among drivers rather than focusing on the vehicles themselves. The participation of owners of both Thar and Fortuner also gives the initiative a wider road-safety focus amid the attention surrounding the two SUVs online.

Haryana DGP had linked Thar and Bullet to driving behaviour

The event also comes against the backdrop of remarks made last year by Haryana Director General of Police OP Singh, who drew a direct connection between certain vehicles and the behaviour of some of their owners.

Speaking to reporters in Gurugram, Singh said police could not check every vehicle but suggested that certain vehicles attracted particular attention.

“We don't check all vehicles. If it's a Thar, how can we let it go? Or if it's a Bullet motorcycle... all notorious elements use such cars and bikes,” he said.

He went on to say, “The choice of vehicle reflects your mindset. People who drive Thars perform stunts on the road.”

Singh also referred to an incident in which the son of an assistant commissioner of police allegedly ran over someone while driving a Thar.

“The son of an Assistant Commissioner of Police ran over someone while driving a Thar. He wants his son freed, and we asked him whose name the car is registered in. It's in his name, so he is the rogue element,” Singh said.

He further questioned how many police personnel owned Thars and warned against reckless behaviour.

“If we make a list of cops, how many will have a Thar? And whoever has it, he must be crazy. But you can't have it both ways. You can't indulge in hooliganism and then expect not to get caught. If you show off, you must also face the consequences,” he said.

Recent Thar incidents add to scrutiny

The Daman campaign comes as several recent incidents involving Thar SUVs have drawn attention.

In Bhopal, a man reportedly drove his Thar through the gate of his girlfriend’s residential society following an argument with her and then crashed into six vehicles. The incident reportedly occurred after he was reprimanded by people at the society over the dispute.

In Delhi, two people were reportedly killed after a Thar collided with the motorcycle they were travelling on.

Earlier, in February 2026, a fatal accident in Goa’s Anjuna reportedly involved a Thar driven by 19-year-old Delhi student Shaurya Goyal. The SUV collided with a Hyundai i20, resulting in the death of a 65-year-old tourist.

Another fatal Thar accident was reported at Delhi’s Rajokri Flyover in June, when a speeding SUV hit 34-year-old motorcycle rider Sarthak Matu, who was travelling to work.

These incidents have contributed to discussions on social media about reckless driving and the perception surrounding high-powered SUVs such as the Thar. However, such incidents involve individual drivers and do not by themselves establish that owners of the vehicle generally engage in unlawful or unsafe driving.

Daman initiative focuses on changing that perception

The participation of Thar and Fortuner owners in the Daman campaign comes against this wider backdrop. By involving owners directly in a road-safety pledge, the administration has placed responsible driving at the centre of the discussion.

The Daman administration’s post also tagged Anand Mahindra, whose Mahindra Group makes the Thar, drawing further attention to the unusual road-safety campaign involving one of the country’s most recognisable SUVs.