Two tribals lynched in Madhya Pradesh: Duo beaten to death over suspicion that they were in possession of beef

In a gruesome incident, two tribals were killed by a group of right-wing radicals in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. 

Suspecting that the tribals were carrying beef and were involved in cow slaughter, the assailants beat them up. 

As a result, two persons--Dhan Shah Inwati and Sampat Batti died while the third got critically injured. This is yet another incident in which Hindus were killed over suspicion of possessing beef and cow slaughter. 

Though mostly Muslims are targeted, there have been some incidents in the past when Hindus were attacked and lost their lives due to cow vigilantes or right-wing groups' attacks. The clipping of Dainik Bhaskar has been attached.

After the incident, the national highway was blocked. Agitated tribal community demanded action in the case. Some of the suspects have been identified and detained. The police said that efforts are on to catch the absconders. Investigation is on in the case. 

Lessons from US to India: Countries that stop injustice, fight oppression become great nations

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

After George Floyd's murder, USA erupted in anger.

Not just blacks, whites [the majority] too came out to protest and almost every celebrity was openly talking about the incident and speaking against racial discrimination.

Even the policemen seemed on back foot and made a gesture, apologised for their colleagues' horrible act. Does anyone here accept a mistake or says sorry for tortures?

Do we even have the moral character, this strength that is needed for it. Do we even care? This is the major difference between America and India.

When Shambhu Raigar had burnt alive a Muslim man Afrazul as if it was just a pastime & got it video recorded on his kin's phone 2-1/2 yrs ago, how many had protested. Just recall, who came out on streets?

Scores of Shambhu's supporters took to the streets in Rajasthan. They wanted him freed & had unfurled saffron flag at court. There was no feeling of guilt or shame expressed by right-wingers. As usual it was termed as a 'fringe person's action' and ignored.

Similarly, in most of the lynching incidents, from Akhlaq to Junaid, Pahlu Khan to Tabrez, there was never any solidarity, no apology. How many celebrities who otherwise speak in accordance with US' values, did the same in India?

Did you see them holding placards that 'we are sorry'? No. In fact, those involved in killings and lynchings get garlanded and feted. Even they are hailed as heroes and even asked to contest elections. We have a terror suspect win election by a margin of lakhs.

Nations that are strong have people who take stand, have empathy and 'hamdardi'--understand, feel each other' pain, stand with oppressed irrespective of their creed, at least, have some moral values, not selfish interests, majoritarianism or law applied as per whims.

This is what we must learn.

READ: Right-wing fanatics on rampage, attack police, hoist Saffron flag on court

WhatsApp Wakes up: After lynching incidents, sets off ad campaign to 'spread happiness, not falsehoods'

WhatsApp has finally woken up from its slumber.

It has begun a campaign--Khushiyaan baantiye, Afwaahein nahin.

If translated from Urdu to English, it says--spread happiness, not falsehoods.

After rumours and false propaganda was spread on this platform for long, it has apparently bowed to pressure.

Government of India had also asked it to contain the spread of hate and rumours that resulted in incidents of lynchings.

The rumours about cow or gangs on the prowl to abduct kids, had led to attacks, lynchings and even deaths.

A techie was killed in Karnataka. In fact, many other such serious incidents of law-and-order failure took place because of WhatsApp and the rumours spread through the platform.

Inside WhatsApp groups, people share content with like minded people or friends-families. Apart from Facebook, it is another major platform that can let any content go viral within a few hours.

Hence, there is need for more responsibility on part of WhatsApp. It has taken it years for the social media giant to run such an advertisement campaign. Now it is on TV and is also visible at other places.

Quite late. Had they been vigilant earlier, it may have saved lives. If people are aware that they may be caught, they are more cautious. In fact, WhatsApp need to do even more and be strict with people who spread false messages and share fake news.

Terrorism: Right-wing mob lynches 80-year-old Muslim man, burns his body in Bihar

An 80-year-old man was lynched by a mob in Sitamarhi in Bihar. The attackers were part of a  religious procession, and they beat the elderly man to death.

They later burnt his body in full public view. Worst, the administration not only failed to stop the rioters, it tried to suppress the news of this horrific murder.

If this is not terrorism, what else is? How can members who were part of a religious procession turn into monsters?

The definition:

Terrorism is unlawful use of force or violence that is aimed to scare, terrorize and instill fear. 

So what happened in Sitamarhi on October 20. The right-wing extremists insisted on taking the Durga Puja procession to a Muslim locality.

" According to the local police officials, a prior warning had been issued to avoid any clashes.
Upon being denied entry, the procession turned rowdy, leading to clashes....", reports The Quint.

The elderly man, Zainul Ansari, was returning from his daughter's home. Those who were part of the procession, found a Muslim man alone and allegedly lynched him.

Then, Muslim houses were attacked. All this happened after those in a Durga Puja procession turned violent. Police officials' role is questionable as despite earlier warning the procession went and they could not prevent this mindless violence.

Further, local administration apparently tried to hide its failure. The news was suppressed, internet was shut in the area. It took over ten days before the news came out of the State. It's almost unbelievable.

Not only the level of hate, radicalization and communalism but also administration's carelessness and how media outside Bihar couldn't get information about it. Now the arrests have begun but shouldn't senior officials' responsibility be fixed.

This report on the portal was the first to reveal the horrific nature of crime. Strangely, the photographs and video that were crucial evidence, were deemed 'inflammatory' and the portal was sent notice by police. 

Speaking up is even more important, as there is threat, fear and officials--after their failure, try to hide the truth. That, people in religious procession can resort to such crimes against humanity, is an example of growing madness.

And, instead of action against officials, attempt is made to silence the media. 

This didn't happen in Port Blair but in the heart of North India. When the Quint mentions, ' The incident, however, went largely unreported ', it shows the sorry state of affairs. Who had stopped local media or Patna-based correspondents from reporting? Deeply disturbing on many counts.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who claims to be a secular politican, must take action against police officials responsible for the incident. It's a test case for him. Sadly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also remained silent.

READ: ELDERLY MAN LYNCHED IN SITAMARHI, BODY BURNT

Eight-year-old Muslim boy murdered outside a Delhi madarsa: Hate crimes in India, rising Islamophobia in India

The murder of an eight-year-old boy, Azeem, who studied in a madarsa in Delhi, has again brought to fore the level of hate in the society.

The boy was murdered in a row with boys of the adjoining locality but this happened after series of incidents--throwing of beer bottles in Madarsa, attempts to disrupt Namaz, locals trying to get Ravana effigy burnt on the premises, amongst others.

The boys who attacked Azeem, caught him by his neck while others caught his hands. "On e of them threw him to ground. Others started to kcik and punch him. Some of them jumped on his chest and we all ran away looking for the Maulana", an eyewitness told Indian Express.

The cleric said that crackers were thrown and the madarsa students were abused. A woman, Saroj, had the temerity to threaten them even after killing the boy. Azeem's father works as a labourer in Mewat.

He wanted his son to become a translator working for a hospital, as his Arabic was good and people from Middle East arrive for treatment in Delhi. Azeem's two brothers also work as labourers, Indian Express reports.

The paper further mentions that 'Two men from the mosque insisted that he join them for a protest march. But Khalil Ahmad folded his hands and replied: A tree can not face a storm. I must bend or I will break. I want to leave with my son's body. I don't want to play politics over his death.

Rising Islamophobia, TV channels injected hatred in society

TV channels have been attacking madarsas and demonizing them for long.

This has resulted in changing social attitudes and hatred towards madarsas.

It is common for TV channels to term madarsas as regressive and even 'anti-national'.

It is this direct hate, which has worsened the situation. Madarsa students face abuse, hatred and barbs in public spaces.

READ: World must Wake up: TV channels involved in Nazi-style propaganda against Muslims 

Stop Lynching Muslims in India: Eid celebrated, Muslims wear Black Bands to protest killings

In an unprecedented show of solidarity with people who have been lynched across the country, Muslims across India wore a black band on their arms, on the day of Eid Ul Fitr.

It was a protest that that had no Muslim leaders or clerics behind it. The call was given by ordinary Muslims who have seen India turning into Lynch Land.

While celebrating Eid, Indian Muslims remembered how innocent Muslims have been lynched by self-styled cow vigilantes, right-wing extremist groups and radicalised mob over the period of last few months.

We remembered Junaid, the young Hafiz-e-Quran who was lynched in a train near Ballabhgarh.

We also remembered Pahlu Khan, who was killed by a mob in Rajasthan. 

We remembered Ghulam Muhammad who was lynched in Bulandshahar, too

We remembered Md Salman, Mazloom Ansari and all other innocents lynched.

We remember how Najeeb remains untraceable and his mother fights for justice.
We remembered Pappu who was killed after returning from Taravih prayers
We remembered Abu Hanifah, Riazuddin, Md Nayeem, Sajjad, Alim, Md Siraj...
We remembered Minhaj Ansari, Imtiaz...
We remembered Md Akhlaq, Zahir Ahmad...
We remembered Noman...

And all others who were killed by vigilantes or those who false accused victims of consuming beef or carrying bovines or for similar reasons.

In the last few months, the lynching incidents have occurred all over North India.


We see right-wing extremists have taken over administration and killers are let off easily.

While praying in the Idgahs and mosques, Muslims prayed for the safety of Indians, prosperity for the entire country and also prayed to God to save Muslims from the lynch mob.

On Facebook and Twitter, the photographs were uploaded to tell the government to wake up and rein in the killers.

The hashtags like #BlackbandagainstLynchRaj and #StopKillingMuslims began trending from Sunday evening.

Even in foreign countries--USA and Gulf, NRIs wore black bands as mark of solidarity. Let's vow to uphold democratic values, fight against fascism and make efforts to save our country.

Save India. Save Humanity.

Will Rajasthan showcase lynching incidents, extremists' arms training camps, extremists' acts to attract Tourists?

Rajasthan is considered among the most tourist friendly states in the country.

But lately, incidents of lynchings, mob attacks, vigilantism and right-wing group's terror camp is keeping it in the news.

Law-and-order seems to have collapsed in this state. An elderly man, Pahlu Khan, was lynched in Rajasthan.

But Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje didn't speak a word, despite wide criticism. Mob attacks and vigilantism are becoming increasingly common in the State.

People with saffron bands can attack a hotel, believing that it served beef (though lab tests later confirmed it was chicken) and thrash a woman, forcing her to say 'Jai Shree Ram'.

Then, Bajrang Dal activists openly impart arms' training to youngsters. A middle-aged man who tries to stop people from taking photographs of women who were going for defecation, gets lynched. The authorities aren't interested in taking action.

Is this how Rajasthan will showcase itself? The reputation of Rajasthan is getting sullied. The state is now getting known for crumbling law-and-order and reign of right-wing lumpens who seem to have become law unto themselves.

They may not be worried about innocents getting murdered and vigilantes taking over from police and administration. But do Union government and Rajasthan authorities realise the danger of such negative publicity?

Rajasthan seems to be giving competition to Jharkhand and UP in such incidents. In fact, it is faring worse.

*Woman brutally thrashed, made to say 'Jai Shree Ram'. [June 15] LINK

*Muslim man lynched in Rajasthan. [June 16] LINK

*Arms training camp in Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. LINK

*Pahlu Khan lynched in Rajasthan. LINK

Six lynched in Jharkhand: Photo that should haunt us, Indians, inhabitants of the land of 'non-violence'

Will this photograph haunt us, Indians, for long?

A man--Mohammad Naeem, begging for his life, yet, the mob killed him in cold blood.

The man was not alone. Apart from him, Md Sajjad alias Sajju, Siraj and Md Alim. were also killed.

The incident occurred at Shobhapur near Rajnagar, which is 45 km from Jamshedpur. All the victims were cattle-traders.

Apparently, there was a rumour that children were being abducted from the area though police said that there no such complaint, and no incident of child theft was reported.

"Villagers got information that some people are taking kid in car. They came out armed and surrounded Shobhapur. It was alleged that one Muslim man, Murtaza Ansari, was protecting them.

Mob accused him of saving them and Murtaza asked the mob to check the vehicle.

But the mob didn't buge", reports Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar.

The mob went on rampage, rummaging houses and setting afire property.

Victims were baten to death. Naeem succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.

The houses of Shamsul Haq and Azizul Haq were burnt.

Police officers's vehicles including Tata Sumo and Indigo were also burnt.

ANOTHER INCIDENT OF MOB LYNCHING IN JHARKHAND

Apart from the incident, three more persons were lynched in Jharkhand.

Gangesh Gupta, Vikas Verma and Gautam Verma were killed in cold blood. This incident occurred in Nagadih.

The elderly grandmother of one of the victims, Ramsakhi, was also brutally beaten.

Her condition is reported to be critical. BJP is in power in Jharkhand, and there is no statement from the top party leaders, condemning the killings.

UPDATE: Reports suggest that the figure of deaths is SEVEN (7). LINK