By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
Goons and gangs must never be allowed to get away lightly or be able to play with the law.
In any society, it signals bad for future if vandals and vigilantes are dealt with softly even as victims find it tough to seek justice or get heard.
The authorities must not succumb to pressure of a gang or a group’s tilt, connections and political links.
Imagine, a right-wing group leader issues threat or makes a controversial claim to create tension but no FIR is registered, nor preventive action taken!
Next, RW cadre goes, creates ruckus, wields weapons, barges in, assaults but still no action? Instead, victims face issues or get booked!
Are the rules different? If the RW cadre asks or demands, will cops oblige and even use stern sections on victims?
A system is needed where laws are not selectively used or misused. Besides, it must not happen that if 10 persons of an organisation reach police station, then even their ruckus or attack is tolerated, and their unjust demands accepted.
There should not be different sets of norms for citizens. Nor any officer should be having this bizarre authority to take such stand that supports and gives clean-chit to attackers or goons, apart from a process that harasses or frames the victim. How can someone register or not register case, whimsically?
It’s high time that the judiciary deals with it and the court does something about it.
Else, the most basic rights of citizens would continue to be trampled upon and the injustice will remain in society.
All citizens are equal in the eyes of law. More so, victim needs protection. The proximity with any party or membership of an organisation can’t make some people bigger than others.
No one should be allowed to play with the law just because they have a 'gamchha' on their shoulders, have the ability to gather, raise slogans.
It had started in mid-1980s when BD began when moral policing and vigilante groups later started attacking couples on Valentine’s Day or targeting Christians, other minorities.
Congress govts too remained soft on them. Over the years, ruckus, thuggery and their violence got normalized (sic).
Media doesn’t use the term 'extremist' or 'radical' and decides that they are 'fringe’. It reached the next stage with organised attacks and lynchings.
#Law #LegalSystem #Vigilantegroups #Police #PoliceReforms #Judiciary #Courts
