It hasn’t been even a week since the people’s mandate was announced and BJP was propelled to power, and there have been three incidents around the country where Muslim men and women were beaten up in the name of nationalism. Maryadapurshottam Ram is being used to threaten the weak and vulnerable individuals. This practice isn’t new, rather it has become the new normal, where self-proclaimed gaurakshaks or deshbhakts go around beating up minorities.
In the last five years, more than 90 individuals have been lynched by these unfazed and politically motivated mobs. This has naturally created a sense of fear among the minorities. Recently, three such incidents were recorded in Seoni (MP), Begusarai and Gurugram. One of the accused, who was allegedly involved in the Seoni case, was found photographed near the terror accused and now a democratically elected representative, Pragya Thakur. There seems to be a powerful and strong political backing to these goons who think they are performing a great national service.
Recently, in Yogi’s rally, goons who were accused of lynching Akhlaq in the Dadri lynching case were found to be sitting in the front row.
Believe it or not, this wouldn’t be the last time you’ll be hearing this word, this word is here to stay and haunt us for at least the next five years. Lynching, a word that gained popularity in 2014, has become normal and soon might get institutionalised – because of strong and motivated political backing. Cow vigilantes will go around killing people on mere suspicion or maybe for no reason at all.
“Yodhas” are being systematically introduced in our society to re-establish Ayodhya (Ram Rajya). These self-proclaimed deshbhakts, who seem to have monopolised the idea of nationalism are prepared to lynch anyone who is either a minority or who doesn’t associate with their idea of India.
After the election, Modi talked about how he wants to strike down the deception, the “imaginary fear” in the hearts of minorities. On one hand, he talks about inclusiveness and on the other hand, his party’s candidate is accused of terror charges and feels proud to be a part of the “movement” that demolished Babri Masjid. This kind of futile attempt to magically declare his newfound liberalism wouldn’t be accepted and wouldn’t drive any change in the choking societal discourse.
I hope this new found inclusiveness is not a mere “jumla”, but actually a promise that materialises into action.