Bollywood celebs voice their outrage over increasing instances of lynching
What's the story
Bollywood celebrities, including lyricist Javed Akhtar and director Sudhir Mishra, today voiced their outrage over the increasing instances of lynching and pressed for justice for the victims. Mob violence had not been justified with "such shameless audacity" even during the bleakest moments in history, said Akhtar on Twitter. Director Sudhir Mishra asked, "What do those who justify lynching say to their children?" Here's more.
Twitter Post
Here's Javed Akhtar's tweet
Even in the days of klu klax klan and slavery in USA or at the peak of White superimist rule In South Africa no one had justified lynching with such shameless audacity. .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 24, 2018
Recent incident
28-year-old man lynched to death on suspicion of cow smuggling
In the latest incident, a 28-year-old man, Rakbar Khan, was allegedly lynched to death on the suspicion of cow smuggling in Rajasthan's Alwar. It is alleged that it took over two-and-a-half hours for the police to take the victim to a hospital. A high-level panel found four policemen guilty of dereliction in duty and suspended an Assistant Sub-Inspector and shunted three Constables to police-lines.
Severe punishment
'Shouldn't cops who watch lynching be severely-punished too?' asks filmmaker
"Cops who stand by and watch a lynching, shouldn't they be severely punished too, instead of being just suspended or sent off to another posting. These guys are supposed to protect the innocent, not aid in their murder," filmmaker Pritish Nandy said. Actor-stand up comedian Vir Das tweeted, "Who does a guy have to hug to get some justice for lynching around here?"
Twitter Post
Here's Gauahar Khan's tweet
The dying persons statements are of no use, accused are given a clean chit! The leaders of the state make loose statements about killings as if it’s just a chain snatching incident , the leaders of the country stay quiet about it, but lynching is the new casual term for MURDER😡
— Gauahar Khan (@GAUAHAR_KHAN) July 22, 2018