The land of cheerful good mornings, India is also becoming a land of lynch mobs. It’s difficult to argue that Indians worry all that much about law and order. If we did, we would atone for it. It is no less than mob trial.
Does mob has the authority to decide who is culprit? Does democracy gives the freedom to decide the punishment for the culprit? Or the Indian law is too weak to take any action for which mob takes the law in their own hand?
Not long ago, many parts of India noticed mob violence based on rumors that people hold the possession of cow meat or were smuggling cows. But the series of mob violence from April this year were stimulated due to the fear of child abduction. In the name of protecting cows, the self-declared “cow protectors” discharged brutality in several parts of the country. Though they were inaccessible incidents, the victims mostly belong to minority and socially disadvantaged communities. But it’s not the end yet, a 79 year old social activist, Swami Agnivesh, is another victim for these inhuman ‘decision makers’.
Telling the REALITY
Swami Agnivesh was attending an event in Pakur which is 365 km from Ranchi. He was surrounded by the tribals who were holding bows and arrows. Further he was attacked by the BJP Yuva Morcha workers as soon as he left the hotel. Reportedly the BJP workers were chanting ‘JAI SHRI RAM’ while they hit Swami Agnivesh.
Allegedly BJP workers had also shown him black flags and raised slogans against him.
“I don’t know why I was attacked. I had offered to hold a dialogue with them. But nobody came to speak to me. They punched, kicked and dragged me on the ground. They also used cuss words. I pleaded with them with folded hands… But they didn’t think it was necessary to tell me why they were raining blows on me.” -Swami Agnivesh
Denying THE FACT
As the members of BJYM are being accused of organizing the attack but they refused its involvement.
“It is true that BJYM had a programme for showing black flags to Agnivesh, as we are aware about his views and see him as supporters of Naxals. I have seen the videos; our people are only shouting slogans. They are not involved in the assault. The reason why our people have been named in the FIR is obvious.” – Amit Singh, BJYM state chief
“They weren’t workers of our party. We condemn this but his track record is such that this reaction doesn’t come as surprise.” -P Shahdeo, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson
Digging DEEPLY
India has past record for several mob lynchings due to some or the other reasons. It would be shocking to know that, 84% killed in cow-related violence since 2010 are Muslim, and 97% attacks were happened after Modi government came to power.
Increasing number of incidents per year.
Year Incidents Deaths Injured
2012 4 0 0
2013 1 0 0
2014 3 0 11
2015 12 10 38
2016 24 8 50
2017 37 11 141
2018 8 4 11
States reporting the highest number of cases:2010-2017
Uttar Pradesh (9)
Haryana (8)
Karnataka (6),
Gujarat (5)
Delhi (5)
Rajasthan (5)
Madhya Pradesh (4)
In 30% cases, police registered cases against victims/survivors.
Rumors initiated 52% of the attacks.
CONCERN that shook foundation
India that takes pride in being the biggest democracy, one that is, or at least was symbolic of ‘unity in diversity’, but when its own people refuse to acknowledge the life and death of a fellow human being, it is clear that the collective conscious of the country is dying. It is very easy to spot people condemning, all over the social media, those who are finally vocally distancing themselves from these violent activities. But the question is that, the government is used to of these kinds of incidents for which it’s still quite?
After the inhumane incident of Swami Agnivesh and on the increasing number of mob lynching cases court have also said that it’s the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order. But the situation has so worsened to such a level that only saying and asking about the scenario is not at all enough, because the life of that old man was at stake, who would have taken the responsibility if he would have lost his life. Or is it possible to bring all those who lost their lives only because few people decided that they are culprit, actions must be taken with the iron hands. As still the mobs remain unknown with very few people being caught by the police. What happen to the culprits, whether or not they are caught, are there more lynching’s we are yet to witness is an open question?
ACTIONS being condemned
Randeep Singh Surjewala
✔@rssurjewala
“BJP goons openly flout the Supreme Court verdict on punishing ‘Violence by Mobocracy’.
Horrific, gruesome & murderous attack on Swami Agnivesh at Jharkhand today is a painful reminder that ‘Lynch Mob Mentality’ rules with abetment of BJP Govt.”
Jayant Sinha
✔@jayantsinha
“I condemn the dastardly attack on Shri @swamiagnivesh ji in Pakur, Jharkhand. The rule of law is supreme in our constitutional democracy. Any unlawful acts, particularly those that violate the rights of any citizen, should be punished with the full force of law.”