Abhorrent mob trials that have to end

The law should never be left to the mob, because any mob makes decisions and implements them in the heat of emotion. Punishments should be given wisely, including both sides. That is what the court and related institutions are for. The person who is arrested by the mob on charges of committing a crime may not necessarily be the real culprit. He may be someone whom some in the mob point out due to past enmity. The mob will give the maximum punishment even for a small mistake. Madhu, a tribal youth in Attappadi, was beaten to death with his hands tied for taking a little rice to satisfy his hunger. A mob enforcing the law is like handcuff going mad.

This is something that no just government should ever allow. Not only in India but anywhere in the world, the greatest atrocities have taken place in riots. All of them were carried out by faceless mobs. Therefore, a developed society should never allow mob trials. No citizen has been entrusted with protecting the morals of our country. If immoral activities take place in a public place, the police can take legal action. However, some anti-social elements take on the duty of protection of morality themselves. They do not care about caste or religion. People of all religions get involved in this dirty scheme. Things will be easier for them if they have the address of any political party.

The same thing happened in the Chief Minister's hometown, Pinarayi. The incident of a woman named Raseena committing suicide after being subjected to a mob trial in Kannur Kayalode Parambai is a tragic incident for Kerala. The police have arrested the SDPI activists C Mubasheer, KA Faisal, and VK Rafnas, who conducted the mob trial. The arrest was based on a tip-off from Raseena's suicide note. The accused are currently in remand at Thalassery Sub Jail. Raseena was talking to a friend near a mosque in the village when the trio surrounded her and questioned her. After sending the woman back home, they took the man, a native of Mayyil, to multiple places, beat him up, and snatched his laptop and mobile phone. He was taken to the SDPI office and handed over to his relatives late at night.

It is not difficult to understand that the real goal of these anti-social elements is to steal and extort money by accusing the woman. Society and the government should never allow the moral policing of such anti-social elements. The government should take steps to maximize the punishment currently given to those who conduct such mob trials. Society should also understand that the real "anti-moral elements" are such anti-social elements who accuse a man and a woman of obscenity even in a conversation held in a public space. Such mob trials for the protection of morality have taken place not only in Pinarayi but in many places in Kerala. Since many of the victims did not come forward due to fear and shame, no one has come to know about it. At least the authorities should think about what measures can be taken to prevent this from happening again.