Mohammad Afrazul, a 47 year old migrant from Malda, West Bengal was brutally murdered in Rajasthan. A number of such crimes have been perpetrated in the BJP ruled state. Killer Shambhulal Ragar fumed against love jihad and attacked Islam vehemently. The killer’s nephew videotaped the murder. Some BJP Members of Parliament and legislators have hailed the murder. Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, was killed earlier by cow vigilantes. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has condemned the killing of Afrazul but that is a routine gesture. Vigilante groups are on the rampage in the state to protect cow, caste and community crime. The threat against Deepika Padukone for her role in Padmavati was given a sympathetic hearing by the government. The film was then banned until the censors gave it the green signal. History books and other school books are being re-written in Rajasthan in the name of Hindutva and Ministers as well as legislators are approving it. The likes of Ragar are not likely to have criminal actions taken against them. The killer has been arrested in the Afrazul case. But the government has failed to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Raje runs an ineffectual administration. Non-state actors are targeting vulnerable citizens.
The rule of the mob and the terror exercised by the vigilantes will plague Rajasthan for some time to come. Tourism will take a hit. Jaipur which hosts music, dance and literature festivals will be losing its appeal. Hate and crime with impunity will foul the atmosphere and make a mockery of culture.
