- By Sarah Khan
Ever since the election results were announced on June 4, 2024, there has been an alarming rise in mob lynching cases in India. These incidents raise concerns about religious harmony, public safety, and questions on the law and order. The mob lynching cases are often a reflection of society’s inbuilt prejudices and misinformation. They lead to fear and distrust among the public. These brutal acts and lynchings are often targeted at marginalized communities, particularly Muslims and Dalits.
Following are the mob lynching cases in a few days in India.
Two Muslim men lynched in Raipur over alleged cow smuggling1
On 7th June, two Muslim men were thrashed to death in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur on their way to transport buffaloes from Saharanpur, UP to Odisha in a truck and their bodies were found in the Mahanadi river. The deceased have been identified as Chand Miya and Guddu Khan. Another man, Saddam Khan has been injured critically and is under treatment in the hospital. The accused mob that alleged the victims of cow smuggling had begun to follow the truck as they noticed surrounding it on the Mahanadi bridge. While desperately trying to escape the violence, one of the victims jumped into the river.
Jamiat-e-ulema Hind leader beaten to death over a land dispute, prime accused on the run2
A 70-year-old general secretary of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind Pratapgarh Chapter and a madrasa owner, Maulana Mohammad Farooque was reportedly beaten to death over the dispute over land in the Sonpur village, Pratapgarh. The prime accused was 45-year-old Chandramani Tiwari who fled his home with his family after the incident. This led to outrage among the residents as they staged a road blockade and pelted stones at the door of the accused’s house. As a result of this, the police intervened. The complaint was filed by the son of the deceased, Mohammad Asad and subsequently, an FIR was filed against five individuals including Chandramani Tiwari and one woman.
Right-wing mob attacks Madarsa and Muslim establishments, injuring eight 3
A right-wing mob attacked a madrasa in Telangana’s Medak district on the night of 15th June injuring at least eight people. A resident, Ateeq claimed that on transporting cattle to the Minhaj-ul-room Madarsa for Eid, the right-wing Hindu mob violently launched an attack on Madarsa. According to Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin, BJP and Hindu vahini members also surrounded the orthopedic hospital near Medak police station. The mob also targeted Muslim shops and establishments, shouting slogans like “Jai Gau Mata” and “Jai Shri Ram”. Various Muslim-owned businesses were attacked, such as the Iftikhar Pan shop, Khalid and Naib Kalyani hotels, Care Hospital, Okaz Medical shop, Honey Bakery, Golden Bakery, and a gym. AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded a thorough investigation and justice while speaking to the Telangana DGP Ravi Gupta.
Communal violence in Balasore, internet services terminated, curfew imposed4
In the Balasore area of Odisha, communal violence erupted during Eid ul Adha celebrations after the suspicions of cow slaughter in the area of Patrapada leading to communal clashes as a result of which internet services were terminated and an indefinite curfew was imposed. Consequently, arson and stone pelting occurred across nearby areas like Motiganj, Cinema Chhak, and Golapokhari, and 20 people were injured. Section 144 of the CrPC was enforced. Multiple FIRs and 34 detentions were reported by Balasore’s Police Superintendent, Sagarika Nath.
Teen attacked by the mob in Birbhum, West Bengal5
On the day of Eid Ul Adha, 17th June, a mob assaulted Tufan Sekh, a 19-year-old resident of Melerdanga by tying him to a pole and beating him with bamboo sticks at Naopora gaon, Birbhum, West Bengal. The police caught hold of 9-10 individuals after the FIR was registered against them. Their identities are not known yet.
Mob lynching on suspicion of theft6
In the Bhanja area of Gandhi Park, Aligarh, a group of men attacked Mohammad Farid, also known as Aurangzeb at around 1 am on the suspicion of theft. While Aurangzeb was leaving after his visit with his friend Rohit, the onlookers suspected him of being a thief. As a result of this, the crowd ran to beat him with sticks mercilessly. The severe abuse led Aurangzeb to fall from stairs whereupon he was again attacked on the ground brutally. Aurangzeb was declared dead after being taken to the hospital. The family members of the victim, along with various political leaders from the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party demanded the immediate arrest of the suspected individuals.
The tragic killing of a man over opposing daughter’s interfaith marriage7
On the same day of Eid, another Muslim man, Zakir Mia, a 46-year-old was killed by three men in Kalyan Taluka near Titwala town of Thane, Maharashtra for opposing his daughter’s interfaith marriage. Among the three murderers, a man, Avinash Khairat was in one sided love relationship with Zakir Mia’s daughter which the latter opposed due to a man belonging to a different religion. The accused had approached them for a proposal of marriage many times and every time he was rejected. As per the police officer’s report, on the day of Eid Ul Adha, Avinash along with his two friends, barged into Zakir’s three-story apartment at around 11:30 am to discuss the marriage proposal again amid Eid celebrations. On being rejected, they gave him derogatory remarks proceeding to attack him with weapons and sticks. The other family members who intervened were pushed aside sustaining injuries. The deceased had been injured on his head deeply as a result of which he was immediately admitted to the Central Hospital in Ilhas Nagar where he was shifted to Kalwa’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the injuries late on June 18. The deceased son, Haider Shaikh claimed that he wasn’t present at home during the tension and he expressed that there could have been appropriate ways of approaching the family regarding this matter.
Further, he demanded for severe actions to be taken against the accused. The case has been registered by the police against Avinash and his friends under IPC section 302. As the investigation continues, there is a collective demand for justice to be served for the victim.
Muslim shopkeeper attacked over false cow slaughter allegations, sparks fear among Muslim traders8
Another incident occurred in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh wherein the mob attacked a Muslim man’s shop in his absence claiming falsely of cow slaughter. The man had gone to his hometown on the occasion of Eid. On investigation by the police, it was revealed that the shopkeeper, Javed who slaughtered a buffalo permitted legally but he was caught over false allegations of slaughtering a cow. According to the Muslim leaders in Nahan, after the mob vandalized and looted the shop, the Muslim traders were Pressurized to flee in the presence of police.
Dalit man died in police custody in Firozabad9
On 23rd June 2024, Akash Singh, a 28-year-old Dalit man in Firozabad and a father of two, UP passed away in police custody. This incident erupted protests in Firozabad. Two FIRs (First Information Reports) were filed against the protestors. Akash was arrested on 18th June after being accused of bike theft. His mother, Shakuntala claimed that he was arrested in a false case and he already had a bike. Further, she said that the police torture of beating him brutally led to his death. The postmortem report raised questions about the cause of his death as it showed an antemortem head injury.
However, the police stated that Akash had fallen ill on the night of 20th June and consequently he was provided medication. Unfortunately, his condition worsened and he couldn’t be saved.
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN MOB LYNCHINGS
The proliferation of social media helps spread misinformation and fake news, resulting in mob violence. Social media helps propagate dangerous propaganda targeting people with inbuilt prejudices. The circulation of such messages can create panic and impulsive reactions.
LEGAL AND POLITICAL RESPONSE
The legal framework has not been stringent enough for mob lynching cases with inconsistent enforcement. Justice is often filled with the backdrop of prejudices leading to minimal or no punishment. The implementation of strict laws remains a challenge.
The political response has also been disturbing with only some leaders condemning the act while others justifying the actions of the accused.
For more updates on the issues, stay tuned to Millat Times.
