Mob rules

I definitely feel the religious tensions more than in past years. Things feel edgier in towns where there is a mix of faiths, even in places where people of multiple faiths have previously co-existed peacefully. A couple of people we have met have mentioned different incidents in their cities. It makes me sad and quite aware of the potential for violence to flare up at the slightest provocation. It reminds me that the extreme violence of partition, with neighbour killing neighbour, really wasn’t that long ago.

The potential for mob violence is the thing that scares me the most here, not that I personally have experienced it. In recent years there has been an increase in Hindu vigilantes harming or killing Muslims they suspect of eating beef and there has been no condemnation of that violence by the government. It is implied that violence against non-Hindus will not be prosecuted (unless they are foreigners and it will damage tourism.) 

Mob rule is not only along religious lines, it can be class as well. Just day before yesterday after I posted the entry on selfies I read that a mob in the south of India lynched a tribesman for theft and took selfies with him as he was being lynched. This brought the attention of the police but it was too late and the fellow died. It makes you wonder what people can possibly be thinking to do such a cruel act.