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

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