When democracy turns into mobocracy and the mob enjoys impunity and state patronage, we need to resist such attempts with all our might.
Resolution against the Politics of Hate unleashed by RSS and its Front Organisations
When democracy turns into mobocracy and the mob enjoys impunity and state patronage, we need to resist such attempts with all our might.
It is no secret that RSS and its front organisations, such as the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, indulge in hate mongering against the minorities particularly against Muslims, and Dalits. But in the last 4 years, under the present RSS-BJP dispensation, they are brazenly carrying on their activities, they know that they have nothing to fear – “after all it’s our government now”. Such is their politics of hatred that their members have no qualms in killing people and justifying the murders.
We protest today against hate crimes. Incidents of mob-lynching have increased at an alarming rate over the past few years. Mere suspicion of cow-slaughter, cow-smuggling, child abduction, etc. are becoming pretexts for mobs to launch murderous attacks, grievously injure and even kill people. In the name of love-jihad, honour-killing is sought to be sanctified. There is no fear of taking law into their own hands.
The situation is aggravated when ministers in the Central and state governments – particularly in the BJP ruled states, BJP-RSS functionaries/ organisations encourage mob-rule. In many a case, the police is party to hate crimes against the minority communities, particularly Muslims.
We sit here on the eve of Mohammad Akhlaq’s mob-lynching 3 years back. One of his killers was honoured with the national flag upon his dead body, with responsible functionaries of the government including a Union Minister paying homage to him. In another incident, the killers were compared with Bhagat Singh. Processions were carried out in favour of Shambhu Lal Regar and the court was gheraoed against his prosecution despite clear video evidence of his nefarious act; he might even be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Recently, Union Minister Jayant Sinha also felicitated the accused in another mob-lynching incident.
On the contrary, the victims (killed or surviving)and their family members or supporters are being charged with counter cases.Having lost livelihood theyface stigma and terror, andthe harassment of criminal prosecution. It cannot be underscored enough how most of the victims are from vulnerable sections of our country, mainly, Muslims and Dalits.
Today we echo the outrage of a large section of our people and declare that the hate crimes and the hate mongers indulging in these crimes are NOT acceptable to us.
People look up to the government to uphold the Constitution of the country, to address the basic issues besetting the people, to ensure the right to life, livelihood and dignity, rather than support hate mongers who vitiate the atmosphere and cause mayhem and chaos.
We demand of the government the following:
1. Make a stringent law against mob-lynching as directed by the Supreme Court of India. And ensure its implementation.
2. Withdraw all baseless cases against the victims of mob-lynching and their associates.
3. Provide immediate compensation to those killed or injured in mob attacks.
4. Provide comprehensive rehabilitation of the victims’/survivors’ families including livelihood, health and education of children.
5. Take strict legal action against individuals and organisations celebrating, honouring or promoting mob-lynching in the country.
6. Prosecute those spreading baseless rumours inciting people to take law into their own hands through social media and other platforms.
7. Use government media for consistently spreading the message of peace and harmonyand against mob-rule and hate politics.
This is a struggle of all Indians to unitedly reclaim India from the clutches of the Modi-Shah-Ambani-Adani unholy nexus! We shall Fight! We shall Win!
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