Mobocracy- A new Norm or an Alarming Cue!
Last month Supreme Court condemned the rising incidents of mob lynching, saying "horrendous acts of Mobocracy" cannot be allowed to become a new norm. The highest judicial forum has asked the Parliament to bring a new law to strictly deal with offences of mob-lynching. The verdict is appreciable.
The gruesome acts of Mobocracy have shaken the very foundation of our social democracy. With growing instances of mob lynching taking place in different regions of the country there looms a greater threat to our Constitutional core values.
Although this new trend of hate crimes leading to innocent killings has drawn flak from all quarters of the society, stringent rules and staunch condemnation from the controlling powers are the need of the hour. Prejudiced responses of state and district administrations and lack of expeditious action in several cases have marred the chances of combating the situation.
Although this new trend of hate crimes leading to innocent killings has drawn flak from all quarters of the society, stringent rules and staunch condemnation from the controlling powers are the need of the hour. Prejudiced responses of state and district administrations and lack of expeditious action in several cases have marred the chances of combating the situation.
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| Mobocracy (pic courtsey https://www.cartoonistsatish.com) |
Several studies have proved that mob lynching is not new to India. There have been instances where majority have tried to hurt minorities in order to curb their freedom that they see as a challenge to their rights. This is especially true in case of Dalits and other backward groups who have been ostracized for exercising their rights. But the current scenario is different. What stands unprecedented is the audacity and confidence with which the law of the land is violated by group of miscreants. Innocent individuals are being targeted on varied grounds like cow slaughter suspicions, child lifting rumors and even for remarks and speeches.
Experts believe that the current spate of lynching is something to seriously ponder about. According to one of the senior sociologists, Shiv Vishwanathan the most dangerous thing about the mob is their Mindset. The crowd inflicting violence is considering itself as “restoring law and order instead of disrupting it”. They consider themselves capable enough to dispense justice.
True, there have been instances of lynching where perpetrators or assailants have recorded their heroic deed of barbarism and broadcasted it in the expectation of approbation. Shamefully, they did succeed in getting approvals of many; worst, from the leaders of political parties who have great influence on the law and order situation of their regions. For them lynching is nothing but the mere outburst of public anger against someone or some practice that does not comply with their ideologies. When the powers fail to denounce the basis of such heinous acts, they in a way tacitly support such bigotry and oppression. As a result immunity is granted to such vigilantes. If the hate crimes are not stopped, it can cause an irrevocable harm to the very tenets of our Democracy that has shaped our nation.
It’s surprising to witness how some politicians explicitly support anti social acts to score brownie points. When Swami Agnivesh was attacked by the right wing activists in Jharkhand last month, the ruling party’s spokesperson said that such reaction from public was not surprising. Agnivesh was responsible for his own attack as his speeches have been provocative. Thus, in a way the intentions of the attackers were justified. Such support coming from the power definitely emboldens the spirits of master minds behind lynching. They feel secure and are encouraged to take more such actions in their stride.
We should also not undermine the pivotal role of Police in maintaining law and order in any region. What is creating larger insecurities in the minds of minorities and general public at large is that in most cases of mob lynching the police has completely failed to perform its duty. While in several cases the police could not provide the desired help and support to the victim in time, in other cases the assaulters managed to thumb their nose at police. In Dhule lynching case where five individuals were killed over child lifting rumors, the powerful mob killed the victims in the presence of the police who could not contain the murderous mob. . In Jharkhand, the victims were dragged out of a police jeep and in Tripura, the victims took refuge inside a police camp, which was stormed.
These incidents put a big question mark on the powers, authority and efficacy of the police in providing security to individuals; the basic right of a citizen.
A message or a video clip on Wattsapp or a post in face book, is enough to create a tensed situation against anyone. The environment has become so vicious and volatile that it’s become really easy to incite anger and mobilize blood thirsty mob within few minutes. The latest incident of mob lynching includes mob violence triggered by fake message on social media against five people in Karnataka. While a 32 year old engineer was killed the others were severely injured. The attack bore striking similarity to a string of mob lynching incidents.
In order to combat ‘Mobocracy’ it is very important to first acknowledge the pressing problem. Some vital questions need to be contemplated. Who are the ones spreading fake rumors? What are their motives? What incites the mob so much that they lose their sanity and go on killing spree? Do these people have any prior criminal records? Why don’t they fear the law before breaking it? Why our Intelligence wing is failing to provide prompt action? Are additional measures required to make police more powerful and accountable? These are some of the crucial questions that must be taken into account to resolve the perturbing situation. The concerned authorities and departments must come forward to take the responsibility to address the issue and introspect the rot causing mongers and bring them under the punitive law.
Thankfully the Supreme Court has intervened, much to our relief. The Judiciary has asked the Central and State governments to take desired corrective and punitive actions against Mobocracy. The court has also advised the Center to consider enacting a new law to deal with the incidents of mob lynching.
Hopes are pinned on the government and its actions. Time alone will decide whether the power vanquishes 'Mobocracy' or the 'New Norm' supersedes the power.
https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/reality-check/ndtv-investigation-justice-lynched-491059
Experts believe that the current spate of lynching is something to seriously ponder about. According to one of the senior sociologists, Shiv Vishwanathan the most dangerous thing about the mob is their Mindset. The crowd inflicting violence is considering itself as “restoring law and order instead of disrupting it”. They consider themselves capable enough to dispense justice.
True, there have been instances of lynching where perpetrators or assailants have recorded their heroic deed of barbarism and broadcasted it in the expectation of approbation. Shamefully, they did succeed in getting approvals of many; worst, from the leaders of political parties who have great influence on the law and order situation of their regions. For them lynching is nothing but the mere outburst of public anger against someone or some practice that does not comply with their ideologies. When the powers fail to denounce the basis of such heinous acts, they in a way tacitly support such bigotry and oppression. As a result immunity is granted to such vigilantes. If the hate crimes are not stopped, it can cause an irrevocable harm to the very tenets of our Democracy that has shaped our nation.
It’s surprising to witness how some politicians explicitly support anti social acts to score brownie points. When Swami Agnivesh was attacked by the right wing activists in Jharkhand last month, the ruling party’s spokesperson said that such reaction from public was not surprising. Agnivesh was responsible for his own attack as his speeches have been provocative. Thus, in a way the intentions of the attackers were justified. Such support coming from the power definitely emboldens the spirits of master minds behind lynching. They feel secure and are encouraged to take more such actions in their stride.
We should also not undermine the pivotal role of Police in maintaining law and order in any region. What is creating larger insecurities in the minds of minorities and general public at large is that in most cases of mob lynching the police has completely failed to perform its duty. While in several cases the police could not provide the desired help and support to the victim in time, in other cases the assaulters managed to thumb their nose at police. In Dhule lynching case where five individuals were killed over child lifting rumors, the powerful mob killed the victims in the presence of the police who could not contain the murderous mob. . In Jharkhand, the victims were dragged out of a police jeep and in Tripura, the victims took refuge inside a police camp, which was stormed.
These incidents put a big question mark on the powers, authority and efficacy of the police in providing security to individuals; the basic right of a citizen.
A message or a video clip on Wattsapp or a post in face book, is enough to create a tensed situation against anyone. The environment has become so vicious and volatile that it’s become really easy to incite anger and mobilize blood thirsty mob within few minutes. The latest incident of mob lynching includes mob violence triggered by fake message on social media against five people in Karnataka. While a 32 year old engineer was killed the others were severely injured. The attack bore striking similarity to a string of mob lynching incidents.
In order to combat ‘Mobocracy’ it is very important to first acknowledge the pressing problem. Some vital questions need to be contemplated. Who are the ones spreading fake rumors? What are their motives? What incites the mob so much that they lose their sanity and go on killing spree? Do these people have any prior criminal records? Why don’t they fear the law before breaking it? Why our Intelligence wing is failing to provide prompt action? Are additional measures required to make police more powerful and accountable? These are some of the crucial questions that must be taken into account to resolve the perturbing situation. The concerned authorities and departments must come forward to take the responsibility to address the issue and introspect the rot causing mongers and bring them under the punitive law.
Thankfully the Supreme Court has intervened, much to our relief. The Judiciary has asked the Central and State governments to take desired corrective and punitive actions against Mobocracy. The court has also advised the Center to consider enacting a new law to deal with the incidents of mob lynching.
Hopes are pinned on the government and its actions. Time alone will decide whether the power vanquishes 'Mobocracy' or the 'New Norm' supersedes the power.
https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/reality-check/ndtv-investigation-justice-lynched-491059
Very informative and well written. Keep up the good work. 👍
ReplyDeleteThank You Samien for your encouraging words.
DeleteWelcome Back.. looking forward to more such articles...
ReplyDeleteThankuu dear, will surely try to write more on such pressing issues.
DeleteGood one. Welcome back to the writers zone!
ReplyDeleteThanku Dear Namrata:)
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