Many people, the human resources of the country, are being lynched with a trigger of violence by the Mob led by simple spread of fake news on social media, WhatsApp group. Despite all the laws in place, the intolerance is growing and the Mob without getting to the truth, jump to the conclusion that leads to the lynching.
What is Mobocracy
In American English a “Mob” is a gang of criminals and gangsters are also called the mobsters. Indian democracy judged by recent happenings of lynching led by fake news is turning into a mob rule or what may be called a “Mobocracy”!
A mob has just to follow mentality and does not think about right and wrong. This is what is happening for quite some time in the country despite the stern warnings issued by no other than the Prime Minister of India.
The back ground
- India has been a heaven for Mobocracy in the past also. However, there has been a sharp rise in lynch-mob incidents since 2015.
- Sometimes it is the misconceived notion of cow slaughter, organ selling, child kidnapping the rumours, fake news of which are spread by the miscreants leading to violent lynching by the mob.
- The fake news spread mainly on the messaging platform WhatsApp, which has more than 200 million users in India, the platform’s biggest market
- It is happening in every part of the country. Kashmir is another example where the mob has been resorting to stone pelting to protect the terrorists and incidents of killing the police personnel on duty reflect the mob intolerance.
- Politicians from all the communities are more concerned about their vote banks and continue instigating the Mob to resort to uncivilized acts.
- Despite repeated warnings by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the mobocracy has not subsided.
Shameful Incidents of Mobocracy
- A man in neighbor hood was killed in a village outside New Delhi because his neighbors got convinced that he was in possession of beef.
- The thieves and criminals found a new way committing the crime in the name of Cow Protection and killed many people, ran away with the booty while the onlookers were booked in road incidents.
- More than a dozen people have been killed across India since May 2018 in violence fueled primarily by fake social media messages, as officials still struggle to rein in this growing technology-driven menace
- In the latest lynching incident, a mob killed five people after rumors spread on social media that they were trafficking children.
- Satish Bhaykre was beaten, Mohammad Akhlaq was killed, seven people in Jharkhand were killed only because of fake news and fake WhatsApp text
Who are the perpetrators of Mobocracy
The perpetrators in the Mob resorting to lynching are largely villagers. May of them are using their smart phones for the first time. Inflamed by fake news of child-trafficking, Cow slaughter, inter religion marriages sent as the WhatsApp messages, they resort to their own criteria of justice which is attacking and beating to death people who often are innocent.
Checks Applied by the Supreme Court
Honourable Supreme Court of India has urged the government to pass a new anti-lynching law and to stop the spread of Internet rumors after dozens of people were killed in a string of mob attacks fueled largely by the fake news on social media.
In July 2018, a panel led by the chief justice of India, Dipak Misra, recommended that Parliament should pass a new special anti lynching law to instill fear among would-be attackers. The panel has also demanded that police take steps to further investigate and curb the dissemination of “irresponsible and explosive” messages and videos that could incite mob violence and lynchings. The court has blamed rising intolerance and circulation of “fake news” for the recent killings
In his order, Justice Misra wrote “Horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be permitted to inundate the law of the land,” adding that the recurring pattern of violence “cannot be allowed to become the new normal.”
Restoration of Democracy: Need of the Hour
The roots of democracy in India are very deep. Probably it is India where democracy started functioning first. It is evident from the existence of institutions like Sabha, Samiti and Viditha in the Vedic era. However, the democracy in India seems to be going in the reverse gear. It is assuming a mob mentality.
If the representatives in a democracy are not responsible, they weaken it instead of becoming its defenders. The need is to reduce possibility of abuse in democracy to the minimum from time-to-time. It is necessary to make democratic system of governance firm, healthy, disciplined and responsible and the democracy should be saved from becoming a mobocracy.
Despite the large number of people coming together mobocracy can never be the reflection of a democracy. Due to lack of discipline and control over the crowd a mobocracycannot transmit the will of the people. Therefore a mobocracy is more dangerous than a dictatorship. The Mob has no mind, no premeditation. They act in frenzy.
How can a democracy be devoid of mobocracy? How can it be transformed into a real people's rule? Mahatma Gandhi was of the opinion that it was possible through the process of constant reforms in democracy and not in avoidance of it and that too in accordance with demand of time and prevailing circumstances. So, for the rise of the institution of democracy, the people have to carry on their duties and to maintain discipline.
Tips to improve your participation in GD round
This topic in GD round is one of the hot probable topics and has been carefully chosen and solved with the sole aim to help you succeed in GD round. If you follow the few key tips, you can improve your chances to get through the GD round
- If you are clear and know the topic well, it is good to be the first to start the Group Discussion
- If you are not well versed with the topic and fee a bit confused on it, try to gather information from first 1-2 speakers and then place your view point.
- Since GD is a sort of debate, you should have a clear view point on the topic – either for or against. Don’t keep crossing the floor. It will leave a bad impression and you may be out of the race.
- Use the quote and data, if you are sure of the source else leave it. You may encounter volley of questions on the economic statistics, trade data or historical facts from your fellow participants. Unless very sure, don’t use it.
- Make multiple entries using the opportunity to speak. Take clue from your predecessor and turn it to your benefit
- Speak in a firm and audible voice. Don’t shout as it wouldn’t do any good.
- Even if you agree or disagree to the view point of other participant, add value by giving reasons for it when you speak but don’t simply say I agree or disagree
Also read:
- Demonetisation: Success & failures
- Linking of Aadhaar: Is making Aaadhar mandatory a good idea?
- Start up India: Boosting Entrepreneurship
- FDI in retail: Good for India?
- Budget Cycle Change: Only a move of convenience
- GST: Will economy grow faster with reduced rates of Goods & Services Tax?
- Merger of Public Sector Banks: How beneficial is the merger of Banks?
- Make in India: The idea will make India a manufacturing hub
- Bank Recapitalization: NPA reduction and not bank recapitalization can cure the health of PSBs in India
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Will it abolish the orthodox mindset?
