{"id":30571,"date":"2023-07-31T20:58:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T15:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=editorial-analysis&#038;p=30571"},"modified":"2023-07-31T20:58:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T15:28:51","slug":"rap-on-the-knuckles-on-lynching-mob-violence-and-judiciary-fiat","status":"publish","type":"editorial-analysis","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/rap-on-the-knuckles-on-lynching-mob-violence-and-judiciary-fiat","title":{"rendered":"Rap on the Knuckles: On Lynching, Mob Violence and Judiciary Fiat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Context:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article is expressing the <\/span><b>concern of lynching &#038; mob violence.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, the Supreme Court has had to remind to Union Government and several State governments that there is need to act against the lynching of and mob violence against Muslims and marginalised sections by \u201ccow vigilantes\u201d in particular.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>About Mob Lynching:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Extrajudicial Killing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mob lynching is a heinous act of premeditated extrajudicial killing carried out<\/span><b> by a group to punish an alleged transgressor <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or intimidate a community.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Provisions in IPC: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>absence of a separate definition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for lynching in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and inadequate provisions to deal with such crimes have raised concerns about the growing incidents of mob violence in the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Associated Case:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Tehseen S. Poonawalla vs Union of India, 2018:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In 2018, the Court, in Tehseen S. Poonawalla vs Union of India, had held that it is the<\/span><b> \u201csacrosanct duty\u201d of the state to protect the lives of its citizens <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and that the authorities have the<\/span><b> \u201cprincipal obligation\u201d to prevent \u201cvigilantism\u201d of any kind.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Issued Guidelines:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nodal Officer:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inclusion of a nodal [police] officer in each district.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mandate:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The nodal officer with the identification of districts\/blocks\/villages where mob violence and lynching have occurred in recent years, and the help of police intelligence, would work towards<\/span><b> tackling such incidence in coordination with other government agencies.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Warning the public about the consequences of engaging in mob violence or vigilantism, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">among other measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Receive Help From: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They were also to be aided by the initiative of the<\/span><b> Home Ministry and State governments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in sensitizing law enforcement officials.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Need for an Anti-Lynching Law:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A Violation of Human Rights &#038; Dignity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Mob lynching is a violation of human rights and dignity under <\/span><b>Article 21 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the Indian Constitution.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also a set back to the <\/span><b>Universal Declaration of Human Rights.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These incidents violate the<\/span><b> Right to Equality and Prohibition of discrimination under Articles 14 and 15 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the Indian Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Filling Legal Gaps:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Introducing an anti-lynching law would rectify the deficiencies in the current criminal justice system, providing a well-defined legal framework, to address these heinous acts.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the Indian Penal Code (IPC) contains provisions for unlawful assembly, rioting, and murder, it lacks a specific law to deal with mob lynching.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combating Lawlessness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Implementing an anti-lynching law would ensure that those involved in lynching incidents are held accountable, serving as a clear deterrent against such acts of violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Responding to the Surge in Lynching Incidents: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With an alarming increase in mob lynching cases over the years, it becomes imperative to adopt a focused and comprehensive legal approach to tackle this menace.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ensuring Accountability and Deterrence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introducing an anti-lynching law would hold those involved in lynching incidents accountable for their actions.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The absence of a specific law might lead to cases being tried under general provisions, potentially resulting in lenient punishments or difficulties in securing convictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dedicated law would establish a clear deterrent against such acts of violence and promote a sense of justice.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Causes of the Surge in Lynchings:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Spread of False Information:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The rapid dissemination of misinformation through social media platforms fuels sudden waves of hostility and contributes to the occurrence of mob violence.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Alienation and Unemployment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Modernization has weakened social connections and a sense of community, leading to feelings of alienation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, high rates of unemployment have left many young individuals disconnected from society, making them susceptible to manipulation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Psychological and Group Dynamics:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In certain cases, group dynamics and mob psychology can also contribute to the escalation of violence.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People in a mob may act more aggressively and irrationally than they would as individuals, resulting in tragic outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Consequences of Lynchings:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>State: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lynching poses a significant threat to the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, creating a law and order crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International agencies have raised concerns over mob lynching, resulting in adverse effects on foreign and domestic investments and sovereign ratings.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, it obstructs internal\u00a0 migration and places an extra burden on the state exchequer to address these incidents.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>The Path Ahead:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Taking Proactive Initiatives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States should adopt a proactive approach\u00a0 to monitor and identify rumors spread through social media and other platforms.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning from the examples set by some states, implementing measures to deter such incidents is crucial.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Establishment of Special Courts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Setting up special courts dedicated to handling mob violence cases would ensure swift and efficient justice delivery, enabling a more effective response to such incidents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strong Legal Framework: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enactment of a dedicated anti-lynching law to specifically address mob violence and hold perpetrators accountable.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This law should ensure prompt and fair trials, delivering appropriate punishments to deter future incidents.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Law Enforcement Reforms:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Training and sensitizing law enforcement personnel to handle mob violence effectively, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to prevent lynchings and bring perpetrators to justice.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public Awareness Campaigns: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launching widespread awareness campaigns to educate the public about the consequences of lynching, promoting a culture of tolerance, and discouraging the spread of rumors and false information.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Monitoring Social Media:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Proactively monitoring and flagging rumors and hate speech on social media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and incitement to violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening Intelligence Networks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms to detect potential incidents of mob violence and intervene before they escalate.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Community Engagement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fostering community engagement and dialogue to bridge gaps between different groups and promote understanding, empathy, and cooperation among communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Protection of Vulnerable Communities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implementing measures to protect vulnerable communities and individuals who are often targeted in lynchings, ensuring their safety and security.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Media Responsibility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encouraging responsible reporting by the media to avoid sensationalizing lynchings and refraining from giving undue attention to the perpetrators.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Political Will and Leadership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Demonstrating strong political will and leadership to address the issue of lynching, condemning such acts unequivocally, and implementing necessary reforms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><i>News Source: <\/i><\/b><a style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/editorial\/rap-on-the-knuckles-the-hindu-editorial-on-lynching-mob-violence-and-judiciary-fiat\/article67139186.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>The Hindu<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Context:\u00a0 This article is expressing the concern of lynching &#038; mob violence. Recently, the Supreme Court has had to remind to Union Government and several State governments that there is need to act against the lynching of and mob violence against Muslims and marginalised sections by \u201ccow vigilantes\u201d in particular. About Mob Lynching:\u00a0 Extrajudicial Killing:&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/rap-on-the-knuckles-on-lynching-mob-violence-and-judiciary-fiat\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Rap on the Knuckles: On Lynching, Mob Violence and Judiciary Fiat<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[3059,3060,1939],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/30571"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/editorial-analysis"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30571"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial-analysis\/30571\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30571"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=30571"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=30571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}