Lynching Epidemic in India: Social Degradation Under Political Patronage

In recent years, India has witnessed a disturbing rise in incidents of lynching – a phenomenon that has claimed innocent lives and exposed deep-rooted social and administrative failures. Mob violence, often driven by communal hatred and misinformation, reflects a broader narrative of social degradation, which is either tacitly endorsed or actively facilitated by the administration. The implications of this trend are far-reaching, posing serious threats to communal harmony, democracy, the Constitution of India, and the nation’s secular values.

Historical Context of Lynching in India 

Lynching is the act of killing someone, often in public, by a mob acting outside the law. While rooted in vigilante justice, lynching in India has historically been linked to social hierarchy and power dynamics.

During colonial rule, lynching was often caste-based, a tool used to maintain the rigid social order, particularly in rural areas. Such incidents were part of the broader enforcement of the oppressive caste system.  After independence, while caste-based violence persisted, lynching evolved to become more communal.

Recent Surge of Mob Lynching

While mob lynching in India is not a new occurrence, its frequency and brutality have escalated alarmingly in recent years. According to reports, many of these lynchings target marginalised communities such as Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis. These attacks, often justified by the perpetrators as acts of vigilantism to protect cows or punish alleged criminals are rooted in prejudice, seeking to assert dominance over vulnerable groups. The underlying motive is not justice, but to perpetuate social hierarchies, deepening communal divides.

The rise of right-wing politics has coincided with the growth of intolerance toward minorities. Certain political parties and their affiliates have used divisive rhetoric to fuel communal hatred, often invoking religion to justify acts of violence.

Hate speech, particularly by political leaders, has emboldened mobs to take the law into their own hands. Statements made on public platforms by politicians have served as implicit endorsements of such acts, resulting in social division.  Several high-profile leaders have been involved in making inflammatory statements that incite violence. From defending so-called vigilante cow protection groups to trivialising lynching incidents, political figures have deepened communal fault lines, reinforcing the culture of impunity.

Administrative Apathy and Complicity

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the lynching crisis is the apparent apathy, and in some cases, alleged complicity of the administrative apparatus. Despite the Supreme Court’s directives to curb mob violence and deliver swift justice, implementation has been weak. Law enforcement agencies often delay or fail to act, and are sometimes accused of supporting the perpetrators. The slow pace of judicial proceedings further emboldens the perpetrators. A culture of impunity is gradually being constructed, wherein mob violence goes unpunished, creating an environment where lynching becomes normalised.

Political Patronage and Impunity

The role of political patronage in fostering a culture of impunity cannot be ignored. Many lynchings have been linked to groups with political affiliations, receiving covert support from political leaders. This patronage not only shields the perpetrators from legal consequences but sends a dangerous message: ‘mob violence is permissible’. This politicisation of lynching has polarised communities, fostering social instability and deepening the cracks in India’s democratic fabric.

The Role of Social Media in Fostering Hate

Social media has further fuelled the rise in lynchings by serving as a platform for the rapid spread of misinformation. Platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook are rife with false news that often incites mobs and stirs communal tensions. Despite efforts by social media companies to curb the dissemination of false information, the administration’s response to this digital menace has been inadequate, focusing more on blaming the platforms than addressing the root causes.

Threat to Communal Harmony and Democracy

The rise of lynching in India undermines the nation’s constitutional values, threatening secular ideals and democracy as mob violence increasingly overrides the rule of law. Such incidents send a perilous message that minorities – particularly Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis – are unprotected, fostering fear and alienation within these communities. Political patronage emboldens vigilante groups to act with impunity, deepening communal divides and fracturing social cohesion. The administration’s ineffective response reflects a broader decline in trust in the state’s ability to uphold justice, further jeopardising the country’s democratic fabric and communal harmony.

Lynching represents a blatant rejection of the legal and judicial system, with mobs assuming the roles of judge, jury, and executioner. This act directly violates the Constitution, which guarantees justice for all and undermines democratic institutions. Despite numerous directives from the Supreme Court, law enforcement agencies have often been slow to act, emboldening perpetrators and eroding public confidence in the state’s capacity to protect its citizens. Tolerating lynching compromises the rule of law and shatters the ideals of equality and justice, as the government and judicial system fail to deliver timely justice to victims and their families.

When driven by religious hatred, lynching strikes at the heart of India’s secular fabric. Religious extremists justify such violence, using faith as a tool for exclusion and oppression. Secularism, a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution, ensures equal treatment of all citizens under the law, regardless of religion. The increase in communal lynching has weakened this principle, leading to heightened religious polarisation that threatens minority communities and endangers the unity and integrity of the nation.

A Deeper Social Degradation

The increasing incidents of lynching reveal a deeper social malaise – one that points to the degradation of India’s harmonious social fabric. When public spectacles of violence are normalised, and when people watch lynchings without intervening, it signifies a breakdown in societal empathy. The mob acts not just out of hate, but as a collective force emboldened by a belief that they are immune from the law. The silence or passive endorsement of such acts by political and administrative leaders contributes to the creation of a society where brutality is not only acceptable but expected.

Reversing the Damage: The Way Forward

To address the lynching crisis in India, a multi-pronged approach is essential. A zero-tolerance policy towards mob violence must be established, accompanied by stringent laws and prompt judicial action. Law enforcement agencies and local administrations should be held accountable for inaction and trained to manage communal tensions with sensitivity. Political leaders must unequivocally condemn lynchings and reject any form of vigilantism that flares up communal animosity or violates the law.

Public education campaigns are crucial to combat misinformation on social media, supported by technological solutions and grassroots efforts. Civil society, religious leaders, and community influencers need to collaborate to restore communal harmony. Most importantly, there must be a concerted effort to reinforce the ideals of secularism, democracy, and equality as envisioned in the Constitution.Educational institutions must take responsibility for inculcating communal harmony and respect for human rights and human dignity among the students at all levels.

The rise in lynching incidents is a troubling indication of social decline, exacerbated by political patronage and administrative indifference. If left unchecked, these violent acts threaten to inflict irreversible damage on India’s secular and democratic foundations. It is vital for all stakeholders – government, law enforcement, the judiciary, and civil society – to ensure that justice, equality, and humanity prevail. Failure to act risks plunging India into the pits of mob rule, making this struggle not just about law and order, but about preserving the soul of the nation.Only through decisive action can India safeguard its social fabric and protect its democratic values from further erosion.

Major Mob Lynching Incidents Since 2015 At A Glance

[The writer is Assistant Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind]