New Delhi, June 22: Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, has expressed profound sorrow and anger over recent mob lynching incidents in Chhattisgarh and Aligarh. Despite the recent parliamentary elections indicating a rejection of communal and hate politics by a majority of the electorate, the poison of communal hatred instilled in the public’s minds over the past years persists, as evidenced by these tragic events.
Madani highlighted the Supreme Court’s stern directives, issued on July 17, 2018, which explicitly stated that no individual has the right to take the law into their own hands. The court had instructed the central government to enact specific legislation to curb such incidents. However, despite these directives, the continuation of such inhumane acts suggests that the perpetrators do not fear the law. This is further exacerbated by the absence of dedicated anti-mob violence legislation at the national level, with only a few states having enacted such laws.
In a recent incident near Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a group of miscreants stopped a truck transporting cattle and brutally beat three men, resulting in their deaths. The victims, Chand Miya, Guddu Khan, and Saddam Khan, hailed from Saharanpur and Shamli districts in Uttar Pradesh. The attack, reportedly motivated by religious hatred, underscores the need for urgent legislative action.
Madani emphasized that mob violence is not merely a social issue but a political one that requires a political solution. He called on secular political parties to openly oppose such violence and exert pressure on the government to pass stringent laws against mob violence. He criticized both the central and state governments for their lack of seriousness in addressing this issue, noting that the current political environment emboldens communal elements who act with impunity.
Referring to a recent incident in Balasore, Odisha, during Bakr-Eid, Madani expressed deep concern over the rising morale of communal forces nationwide, facilitated by the lack of legal action against them. He condemned the double standards in law enforcement, where mere suspicion leads to severe actions like home demolitions, while those who commit acts of violence against minorities roam free.
Madani urged secular parties to not only raise their voices in parliament but also press for strict legislation to deter such acts. He asserted that severe punishment from the courts is essential to prevent further atrocities and to ensure justice for the victims. Without such measures, he warned, the cycle of violence will continue unchecked across the country.
