Brutal killings in the name of religion, caste: Talibanistion, mobocracy seeking to replace our vibrant democracy

Counterview Desk
Recent incidents of lynching, mobbing and beef ban have raised a sense of insecurity and loss of trust towards the current government in power, believes Voluntary Action Network of India (VANI), an umbrella organisation of voluntary organizations. Text of the joint statement on behalf of civil society organizations (CSOs) in favour of #notinmyname protests issued by VANI:
The beauty of India has always been its diversity and co-existence. Various thinkers and preachers have always defined it is bouquet rather than single flower, because many faiths, cultures and sub-groups lived and flourished. We as a country had witnessed disturbances in the past but the threat to social fabric was never witnessed as it is today.

The fear and respect of law is being replaced by mobocracy. In recent times the country has witnessed brutal killings on the name of religion, caste or groupings. Dalits, Muslims or even government officials performing their duties are being targeted and has perpetuated a sense of fear and alienation among these groups. The response to the “Not in my Name” protests all over the country lead us to believe that a significant number of people are alarmed by this growing trend.

Is this not a Talibanistion of our most vibrant democracy which is house to billions of people? The rises of such incidents make it evident that they can no longer be regarded as isolated events, but as a result of political agenda of hate and divisiveness.

On one hand, such incidents are fueled by irresponsible statements and hate speeches from government spokespersons and fringe elements. On the other, lack of strong government action has further emboldened these targeted killings which are carried out sometimes in the name of beef, sometimes over the fear of unknown as in the case of killing of Kashmiri officer.

As civil society organizations working with the marginalized sections and towards the protection of human rights, we believe that these incidents will have far reaching implications on the social fabric of the nation. The failure of law enforcement to prevent these mob killings and public apathy is generating a feeling of helplessness amongst people. Thus we look up to government to enforce laws to prevent such hate crimes and ensure rehabilitation's of the victims and their families.

VANI and its members strongly condemn such actions. We also feel that deafening silence of government and society at large is going to harm everyone. We must remind ourselves that India is house to the oldest human civilisation, which has not only survived but also flourished for centuries. Government inaction, failure of law enforcement to prevent these mob killings and public apathy and fear is generating a feeling of helplessness amongst people.

We look to the Government of India to uphold the rule of law and take necessary action to prevent such hate crimes. The government should not only ensure punishment for the perpetrators and instigators, but also rehabilitation of victims and their families.
VANI would also like to appeal to each and every citizen of the country to come forward in what ever way they can to preserve the essence of India, Indian civilisation is melting pot of all cultures, religions and castes and one has to work towards it. The intellectuals, business, media and civil society should come forward and speak for it as keeping silent is not an excuse.
---
Contact email: infogwanindia.org, website:www.vanindia.org

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Health Day ads spark row as NAPi targets Britannia campaign, criticizes celebrity endorsement

By A Representative The advocacy group Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) has raised concerns over what it describes as misleading advertising of ultra-processed food products (UPFs), particularly those high in sugar, fat and salt, calling for stricter regulations and an end to such promotions across media platforms.

Search This Blog