Karni Sena: Should individuals, celebrities of community speak up when groups claiming to represent them indulge in violence?

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Once again this question arises in the wake of pan-Indian violence by Karni Sena.

There are not just death threats to actors or acts like burning down theatres but also warning the state, not listening to courts and even attack on school bus carrying children.

When a group gets violent, claiming to represent your community, is there need to speak up that no they're wrong, not representing us.

Need for 1-2 celebrities of the industry or leaders-bizmen-sportsmen need to condemn, speak. Or no need for it?

How many Rajput celebrities including Bollywood stars or Rajputs in Sports, Business, Army, Bureaucracy, Police have issued statements and said that we don't agree with Karni Sena (that has no respect for even SC) or that it doesn't represent us?

When it comes to Muslims, on any petty issue involving a Muslim, many of us get uneasy, unable to sit silent, start profusely apologizing for someone else's conduct just because of Muslim name and start giving justifications.

This situation comes up again and again. In some instances, people too ready, more than eager to condemn, feeling guilty for others' acts. In some cases, absolutely passive.

Ideally though, State-cops that needs to deal with lawlessness. But because it doesn't happen, there is often pressure on the community. Though many support the muscle-flexing.

Secret admiration for 'Gunda', 'Gundagardi' of own community in Indian society

Frankly, in India, people even admire 'gunda' of own community, gundagardi too. There is secret admiration--feeling that 'chalo ek taaqatwar aadmi ya group tayyar ho gaya'.

In states, regions, you hear people talking with pride about their own 'bahubali'. Love for muscle-flexing. Once a group-person gets powerful, people draw power from them. 

Throwing its name, weight, in situations. In a country, where law doesn't act equally, that's bound to happen. One can get away with arson-violence if has backing, other can be jailed under 151 without doing anything.

When politicians-bureaucrats-other power centres wield disproportionate power, when their allegiance or signal can start or stop any action, nothing can stop it. That's how this country runs. 

Just compare Muslim silence on Haj subsidy abolition with Karni Sena violence on Padmavati

When BJP government decided to do away with the Haj subsidy, there was not a single protest across India.

Muslims didn't come out on streets. They didn't even burn effigies or stage any protests at all.

It was peace all across India. Government took a unilateral decision but there was no opposition or street violence.

But, when a movie, Padmavati, was about to be released, the Karni Sena came out on streets, it threatened to kill actors, apart from threats to cut nose and bury the actors.

Despite open threats, FIRs were not registered. The state, the media, everyone seemed to ignore the verbal threats and the violence on the streets, as if the Karni Sena is their own group and it was nothing but mere tantrums.

Further, there were violent attacks, arson, attacks on cinema halls, assaults, threats to burn down theatres, even making an extremely shocking appeal to Rajputs within Army, and not even listening to Supreme Court. 

Just recall, mob violence in India in recent history. Army had to be called out in Haryana as well as in Gujarat during Jat agitation and Patidar movement. Is nationalism about burning-damaging national property?

Bajrang Dal does it all the time but it remains national. Which Muslim group has been involved in such acts? None.


Yet, the Karni Sena is termed as a 'fringe'. No extremism or fanaticism, used here.

Similarly, when BJP government unilaterally decided to bring law banning Triple Talaq, the Muslim community, even if there were many voices against it, didn't go out on streets to stage protests or commit violence.

This is not just about Karni Sena. It is about Bajrang Dal and Ram Sene, it is about the VHP as well as HVK.

From Gujjar agitation to Jat violence, from Patidar movement to Baba Ram Rahim's followers--all have been incidents of organised violence, the state and law was defied, people died.

READ: Violence during Jat stir in Haryana, Rs 25000 cr property damaged

Even in farmers' agitations or teachers' protests, one finds arson, attacks and violence.

However, Muslims show maturity, despite bad press and constant demonisation, Muslims remain peaceful and avoid any mass protests or violence, don't damage national property and abide by law. This is the point, we must remember.

READ: Horrors of Haryana, destruction in Rohtak during quota protests