Brutal reality

There is growing anger across India over the lack of strong governmental action to reign in the scourge of mob lynching. And it pains me to see state governments stand in mute testimony to the horrific crimes committed in their towns and cities (“Suspected child lifter lynched by mob in Jharkhand,” Sept. 6, Gulf Today).

In August alone, at least nine people were killed and over 135 injured in mob attacks based on false kidnapping reports shared on social networking sites like Whatsapp. And yet there no one seems bothered apart from the families of the deceased and those injured.

Mob lynching is a barbaric and criminal act and perpetrators of such heinous crimes need to be given the strictest of punishment. But unfortunately that is not the case, in India. The offenders have scant respect for the law enforcement machinery. And that stems from the fact that in the past weak policing has let offender get off the hook.

What is even more appalling is that policemen are also victims. Recently three cops were beaten in Bihar on the suspicion of being child lifters. But the most prominent was the killing of Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh last year. Last month the widow of the deceased had appealed to Chief Minister Yogi to cancel the bail of those accused of killing of her husband fearing a threat to her life and that of her children. Ironically all the seven accused are out and were given a hero’s welcome by their supporters after being released on bail.

The Supreme Court last year issued a set of guidelines to all state governments to tackle “mobocracy”. Is it too much to ask the states to heed to the SC request?

Rashmi Chandra
By email