Stop Lynching

Sir — In India, the tyranny of lynching is increasingly becoming regular, signifying a virtual collapse of the law and order situation. A mob seeks refuge in numbers which makes it easy for even a small collective to get away with the horrific crime of lynching.

The recent spurt in hate crimes can be traced to that sense of immunity from the law. What’s equally appalling is the civilised society’s indifference to a growing mob rule. Sadly, no one in the vicinity finds it worthwhile to intervene even when lives are at stake.

The perception of political impunity among cow protection vigilantes was further strengthened when a Union Minister felicitated convicted lynchers.  Prodded by the Supreme Court, last to enact a special law to deal with mob violence and lynching, the Union Home Ministry has announced the setting up of two high-level committees to suggest ways and legal framework to effectively deal with incidents of mob violence and lynching. Hopefully, this send a strong message.