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| Divided by Fear, United by Misinformation: A Community on the Edge Amid Rising Mob Violence in India. |
In the last decade, a disturbing trend has emerged in India’s socio-political landscape—a violent tide that has given rise to mobs ready to act without thinking, with misinformation as their most potent weapon. Once reserved for isolated incidents, mob violence has now crept into every corner of the country, with grave consequences for communities that fall victim to its wrath. This isn’t just a fringe phenomenon; it’s a direct outcome of political parties unleashing dangerous ideologies into the mainstream, giving birth to mobs that operate with impunity and thirst for blood.
With each new incident, a brutal truth becomes clearer: these mobs aren’t random criminals. They are people we know, sometimes even our neighbors, friends, or the men from our own streets. These same individuals, now turned vigilantes, are exploiting the power of collective violence, targeting vulnerable groups first and working their way through communities, leaving trails of fear and division in their wake.
A Dangerous Narrative: The “80 vs 20” Agenda
In many states, political leaders and parties have publicly encouraged an “80 vs 20” narrative—dividing communities into majority and minority based on religion or caste. The result has been catastrophic. The Muslim community was the first in the crosshairs of this violent discrimination, framed as “the other,” and subjected to vigilante justice under the pretense of “law and order.” But what started as an anti-Muslim narrative has insidiously spread to target lower castes and other vulnerable communities, who now face brutal attacks for simply existing in the “wrong” place or “defying” their supposed social roles.
The complacency of political leaders fuels this escalation. Despite evidence of gross violations of human rights and constitutional safeguards, the government has often taken no serious action against the mobs. And in some cases, the mobs aren’t just ignored—they’re actively celebrated. Leaders have turned perpetrators into heroes, showcasing their “patriotism” while subtly reinforcing the social divisions that underlie these crimes. The mobs know they have protection, emboldening them to act with increasing brutality, with the knowledge that political support stands behind them.
Misinformation: The Fuel That Feeds the Fire
The other weapon in this arsenal of hate is misinformation, which spreads faster than any counter-narrative or fact-check. This misinformation—often planted, sometimes accidental—acts as a call to arms. Rumors of “cow slaughter,” accusations of “conversion,” or mere suspicion of “disrespect” are enough to mobilize mobs. A single WhatsApp message, a doctored video, or a sensational headline is all it takes. And even when the truth finally emerges, the damage is done. Trust is eroded, lives are lost, and communities are fractured.
What makes misinformation especially dangerous is that it preys on human biases, making people quick to act and slow to verify. By the time facts surface, the mobs have already dispensed their version of “justice,” leaving only destruction in their wake. Attempts to correct misinformation after the fact often fall on deaf ears, as people cling to their beliefs, their anger stoked and re-stoked by those seeking to divide.
A Dark Future: Where Does This End?
At first, the mobs came for the Muslims, then for the lower castes. Now, with each passing day, the list of potential targets grows longer. It’s only a matter of time before anyone who is deemed “different” or “deviant” falls victim. And the worst part? These aren’t nameless strangers; these are people we know, the ones with whom we grew up. This is not a distant or abstract threat—it’s in our streets, in our neighborhoods. When these mobs act, it is not a faceless enemy; it’s our own communities tearing themselves apart from the inside.
This narrative isn’t just dangerous; it’s an existential threat to India’s democratic fabric. The political indifference or, in some cases, encouragement of this mob mentality is setting a chilling precedent. It risks turning ordinary citizens into instruments of violence, erasing lines between crime and punishment, justice and vengeance. The same street we grew up on could become the site of yet another senseless attack. And as long as the political apparatus continues to tacitly support these mobs, this monster will only grow.
