As if ‘global unrest’ that threatens world peace was not enough, ‘war of faiths’ has now endangered the harmonious relationship between various communities. But it would be wrong to attribute the recent spate of mob lynchings to this contemptible trend. Cow vigilantism and the perceived ‘punishments’ maybe a direct offshoot of ‘hate politics’ that has the country in its throes today. However, a hyperactive social media needs to be blamed for all the sickly acts brought about by misleading and provocative posts that is costing innocent lives.
The view by the apex court that the Union Government should consider enacting a legislation regarding lynching does merit a thought considering that though the current laws are enough to take care of mob lynching, political patronage has resulted in little action being taken against the ‘activists’ indulging in cow-related violence.
However, failing to understand mob behavior, it is difficult to comprehend how any new law pertaining to lynching and mob violence could be framed. Whether they are ‘cow-smugglers’ or child-lifters, members of the public have no right to take law into their hands. The effective use of the social media to sow the seeds of doubt in public minds assist the new corps of trouble-mongers to spread a reign of murder and mayhem in the country. The social media misuse needs to come under the purview of stringent laws to deter such uncivilised acts in future.