Mob violence, lynching; what’s stopping lawmakers?
Responding to the increased spate of mob violence and cases of lynching, home minister Rajnath Singh has said a law would be framed ‘if need be’ indicating the government does not yet see the pattern of mob violence as something that’s damaging the nation and targeting certain group of people. The opinion of BJP is higher than the need of the nation.
While the home minister gave a statement to that effect, RSS leader Indresh Kumar has said ‘mob violence may end if people stop consuming beef’; adding ‘unless cattle is declared as national animal, the lynchings will continue.’ While it is no secret that RSS is controlling the government, the same outfit has said no law can ever stop the mob violence. When they have declared that one must stop consumption of beef, the central government does not see a law stopping the mob violence at all.
One knows the background of RSS leader Indresh Kumar. His role was being identified by slain police officer Hemant Karkare and his team in one of the bomb blast cases. The team was done to death even when they were investigating the role of RSS and extremist groups. There has been strong political intervention seeking Indresh Kumar’s name to be dropped from the list of the accused.
A man of this reputation today can openly speak about the food habits of the nation. BJP government is encouraging beef consumption in Kerala, Goa and north east India, reiterating the fact that they would never ban beef in these regions. Because, in this country there are people other than muslims who consume beef as their main diet. Beef is as popular in Kerala as much as chicken and mutton. North east India has great appetite for beef which is a staple diet owing to the fact that this is the most economical source of protein for the poor and rich alike, hence this is always in demand.
Minorities, muslims and Christians along with Hindus consume this meat as their main food. By now, this fact is out that the food that is consumed by 75% people of India is a bone of contention for BJP and RSS which have waged a war against the beef eating communities. Which means, a particular group with vested interest is sponsoring this violence. And it is no secret that Rajnath Singh cannot understand. There are media reports that show direct links between BJP leaders and mob violence incidents. If a law is made, the people who would be penalized, are from the supporting groups which include BJP and RSS. If all these people are jailed as punishment, who would help create volatile atmosphere around election time? If the law takes its role seriously, they would be out of their jobs. They may begin to be critical of the government itself.
Hence the government responded rather cryptically to the direction issued by the Supreme Court. Politicians like Yogi Adityanath were born out of such mob violence and it is more than obvious that they’d never support a law against mob violence, even if the home minister proposes it. What else can convince the government about the necessity of such a law? Now the mob violence pretext has moved from rumours relating to ‘cattle stealing’ to ‘child lifters’.
There could be instances of police or politicians being killed if they try to contain the mobs from growing. Should we assume the government is waiting for the mobs to take police stations and courts into their control? In some ways, this is ‘catch 22’ situation of the central government where it needs the violence to continue in order to claim and remain in office. But this mob violence has turned into massive deterrent in the country. The mobs that were breeded and nourished by a system, and they cannot be eradicated all of a sudden now. Any such attempts may backfire and the mobs may well claim the forces that try to contain them.
Hence, as of now, there is only lip service that is being offered against the mobs. This is the most dangerous growth in the country which is slowly handing over the country to the goondas. The democracy of the nation is being threatened. Should the mobs know the helplessness of the laws that cannot contain them, they’d shine through with more grandiosity and claim even more lives.
The situation may get out of hands and even the police may not be able to control them later for many people may think being part of such mobs is a very attractive career option. More than working hard at dairy farming to earn a livelihood, waylaying someone with cattle and unleashing goondagiri on that person gets easy money and social security. If this happens, dairy farming will take a serious beating and only Gau rakshaks would continue to thrive.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
