7k calls last year: How short fuse, sense of entitlement are fuelling parking rage in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The city has been witnessing frayed tempers when it comes to parking disputes — with seemingly minor disagreements often escalating to extreme levels, leading to incidents of violence and deaths. Even vehicles have been set on fire.On April 16, a 50-year-old auto-rickshaw driver lost his life after he collapsed during an altercation with a group of men over parking his vehicle in west Delhi’s Nihal Vihar. In Dec 2025, a 38-year-old man was arrested for allegedly firing outside his residence in Seelampur following a quarrel with his brother over parking. In Aug, 42-year-old Asif Qureshi, a cousin of actor Huma Qureshi, was stabbed to death in Jangpura, allegedly by two brothers over a similar dispute. In July, three men were arrested and a juvenile was apprehended for opening fire during a row over parking in Shashi Garden.Delhi Police received more than 7,000 calls related to parking disputes last year.Experts point to changing behavioural patterns as a key reason behind such flare-ups. Dr Rajiv Mehta, senior consultant psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said one of the main reasons behind the rise in parking disputes is a gradual decline in people’s tolerance levels.“Many develop a rigid mindset, believing they are always right. Coupled with a strong sense of personal authority, this leads them to assume that their actions are justified and beyond question,” said Dr Mehta, adding that even a simple request, such as asking someone to move their vehicle or pointing out improper parking, is often misinterpreted as a direct challenge to their authority or self-respect.Dr Rajat Mitra, a professor of forensic psychology, explained that many people view parking spaces as an extension of their personal territory, even when the patches are meant for shared use. He said this stems from a psychological need for control and a sense of ownership, which can create entitlement and spark conflicts.“When someone else tries to park in what they perceive as ‘their’ spot or asks them to move their car, it is often interpreted as a threat or invasion of privacy. This reaction, he noted, is less about the issue of parking and more about a perceived loss of control, causing minor situations to escalate into larger conflicts,” Dr Mitra added.