The #NotInMyName# campaign of June 28 which happened in several cities across India was triggered by a Facebook post of one person. Delhi-based documentary film maker Saba Dewan’s Facebook post on Saturday last, exactly a week ago read, “Shouldn’t there be protests against the lynchings especially after the murder yesterday in Delhi NCR by a mob of a 16 year old Muslim boy? If not now then when? Why wait for political formations to organize a demonstration? Why can’t all of us as citizens repulsed by the violence get together in protest at the earliest next week at Jantar Mantar under the banner – Not in my Name.
Dewan’s post convinced thousands of people to stage similar marches at Kolkata, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore. Even in Guwahati, like-minded people representing different organisations met and supported the campaign. The silent protest with powerful placards forced Prime Minister Modi on Thursday to condemn the killing of people suspected to be eating or storing beef, by gau- rakshaks (cow saviours ). But even while the Prime Minister was exhorting the gau rakshaks to abstain from these ghastly killings, another meat trader, Alimuddin Ansari succumbed to injuries after being assaulted by at least 10 men who intercepted his van carrying cattle meat in Ramgarh district near Ranchi. The van was set aflame even while the victim was lynched in full public view, many of whom recorded the event on their phone cameras. While Ramgarh Police claim that the attack was linked to a dispute the trader had with the group, which had been extorting money from him over a period of time, the fact remains, that another person selling beef has lost his life. The cow is becoming a prime reason for the series of lynchings taking place in this country.
Social media has become a powerful medium – nay a moral imperative for bringing together people of who share a common concern at the targeted killings that have become a pattern in this country. Prime Minister Modi needs to address this sense of disquiet that is gripping the nation since he took over the reins of governance in 2014.