New Delhi: A group of Muslim women from over 10 states Wednesday said the new dispensation at the Centre should bring a law against mob lynching.
Ahead of the April-May parliamentary election, the women, including Khalida, the wife of alleged lynching victim Umar Khan, published a manifesto listing their demands.
The women, who came together under Bebaak Collective – a movement against hatred, demanded the political parties “restore” constitutional rights of women and minorities.
“I live in constant threat. Even attending court hearings has become extremely difficult because of threats we receive from fringe groups,” said Khalida, who came with her 14-month-old son.
“I don’t want anyone to go through what my family is going through and that is why I request the political parties who is elected to power to frame law against mob lynching,” said Khalida, a mother of eight.
Umar Khan was killed in 2017 in an exchange of fire with alleged cow vigilantes in Alwar in Rajasthan. Umar’s body was found on the railway tracks at Ramgarh in Alwar district. His relatives and social activists subsequently alleged that he was killed by cow vigilantes.
Their demands included formulation of a diversity index across public and private sectors to determine extent of under-representation of Muslims, giving 10 per cent reservation to Muslims in higher education and government jobs.
They also demanded monetary benefits for single women, introduction of a communal violence bill to bring perpetrators to justice and introduction of gender-just laws for minority groups.
“We demand repealing of prohibition and restrictions on slaughtering and sale of cows. The National Register of Citizens Bill strips Muslims of their citizenship rights and must be withdrawn,” their manifesto said.
Also read: Cow vigilantism & mob lynching will invite wrath of law: Supreme Court
Why demand slaughter of the cows?The cow too has a right to life.She too is a citizen of the state.A citizen by birth.How has she harmed anyone? We drink her milk so she is mother.We drink milk to grow big and strong and when she is incapable of providing any more milk we slaughter her?! How dare you?What kind of wicked behavior is that?You are prepared to inflict so much pain and suffering on the gentle cow just to satiate your taste!!Is there no limit to our degradation? Why not start slaughtering children? They too will not protest?What is the big difference between a cow and a child?Both are helpless and dumb.Both will go anywhere you take them.Both will not complain when you bring a knife close to their neck.Does that mean it is okay to decapitate them?
If the intention is to sensitise society to the horrors of this recent development, a specific law could be enacted. However, murder and causing grievous hurt are already serious crimes under the IPC. More essential is a determination on the part of each CM, with oversight by the union home ministry, that the toxic atmosphere which leads to these hate crimes ceases to exist. Also a completely “ free hand “ – very visible / palpable in the Valley – to the police to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Despite interventions by the apex court, the record so far does not inspire much confidence.
Yes it is need to make make law against mob lynching