Mob Violence

Mob violence has emerged as a critical law and order issue in India, highlighting a troubling trend that threatens the country’s social fabric. Incidents of mob violence have surged across various regions, resulting in severe consequences that erode the foundations of justice and social harmony.
Mob violence, characterized by rampant public disorder and chaos, is increasingly becoming a major law and order issue in India. High-profile incidents such as the Dadri lynching (2015) and the Alwar violence (2017) highlight the gravity and scale of this growing problem.

Factors Contributing to Mob Violence

• Social Media Influence: Social media platforms often spread rumors and misinformation, acting as an anonymous force multiplier. Ideologically-driven messages, fake news, and manipulated videos can quickly incite mob violence.
• Extremist Ideologies: Mob violence, including acts of looting, often arises spontaneously, with many young individuals drawn to the immediate power and thrill of brute force.
• Climate of Impunity: Support from political parties or organizations with extremist ideologies embolden mobs. The perception that there will be little consequence for their actions fosters a culture of lawlessness.
• Erosion of Trust in Law and Order: Inadequate responses to societal unrest, rising incidents of moral policing, and weak deterrence by law enforcement agencies contribute significantly to the increase in mob violence.
• Societal Silence: The weakening of social harmony and the lack of collective moral action further fragment societal bonds, leading to an environment where mob mentality flourishes.
• Communal Tensions: Religious and caste-based conflicts, often fuelled by misinformation and divisive political rhetoric, frequently result in mob violence. The 2017 Alwar lynching, triggered by rumours’ of cow smuggling, is one such example.
• Misinformation on Social Media: Platforms like WhatsApp have been used to spread baseless rumors, as seen in the 2018 child kidnapping rumours’ that led to lynching’s across India.
• Weak Law Enforcement: The inability or reluctance of law enforcement agencies to act swiftly allows mob violence to escalate. For instance, the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh were exacerbated by delayed police intervention.

A case study

In April 2017, Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from Nuh, Haryana, was attacked by cow vigilantes while returning from a cattle fair. The incident was captured on video, which subsequently went viral. However, the court did not accept the footage as evidence because it had not been forensically authenticated. Despite the lynching occurring two years prior, neither the Rajasthan police nor the prosecution, which had submitted the video as evidence, sought forensic verification. It is worth noting that the Rajasthan police conducted two separate investigations into the lynching.

Consequences of Mob Violence

Justice Deficit: When lynchings occur across states without the perpetrators being held accountable, it signals a profound failure of justice.

Distortion of Democracy: Mob violence represents a distortion of democratic principles, where the monopoly on violence appears to shift from state institutions to the people.

Threat to Fundamental Rights: Mob violence undermines the very essence of the “Right to Life” (Article 21), a fundamental right enshrined in the Indian Constitution, as it threatens the dignity and safety of citizens.

Loss of Life and Property: The immediate outcome of mob violence often includes fatalities and widespread damage to both public and private property.

Social Fragmentation: Such violence leads to lasting divisions within communities, fostering deep-seated fear and mistrust among different social, religious, or ethnic groups.

Erosion of Law and Order: Repeated incidents of mob violence can erode public trust in law enforcement and the judicial system, undermining the rule of law.

Economic Disruption: Mob violence destabilizes local economies by disrupting businesses, destroying livelihoods, and creating an environment that deters investment and economic growth

There is an urgent need for comprehensive police reforms and an effective criminal justice system that serves as a deterrent against mob violence under the guise of justice. It is crucial for Parliament to discuss, deliberate, draft, and enact a special law specifically addressing the issue of mob violence. Protecting unity in diversity can only be achieved by establishing the rule of law and restoring public confidence in the justice system.

The End of the Blog: Mob Violence