Kapil Sibal Slams Modi, VP Dhankhar Over Killing of Haryana Student by Cow Vigilantes
In such an incident Sibal that sent ripples across the nation in the form of outrage and condemnation, a Class 12 student Aryan Mishra was brutally shot and killed in Faridabad, Haryana on August 23, by a group of suspected cow vigilantes. The attackers claimed they had mistaken Aryan for a cattle smuggler. That kind of defense is widely resented and dismissed. Leading political figures have condemned the act as an offshoot of growing hate culture and vigilantism in India. Sibal called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to break their silence on the issue, demanding accountability and action against such acts of violence.
The Incident-A Case of Mistaken Identity?
The lynching of Aryan Mishra has sent shockwaves across the nation. “The student, 17, was travelling along with his friends Shanky and Harshit when the group of five men chased them,” a police report said. According to the police, the accusedSaurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna and Adesh–had been misinformed that some suspected cattle smugglers were reconnoitring the area. Accused gave chase to a moving car of Aryan which was running at the speed of about 30 kilometres near the Gadhpuri toll on Delhi-Agra National Highway. The boys did not stop the vehicle after which the accused opened fire that left Aryan dead on the spot.
The attackers were arrested on August 28, and during interrogation, they claimed that the idea behind their attack was to stop cattle smuggling. However, that little appeases the angry populace, as many questions have been raised about the legitimacy of such vigilante groups and their unchecked actions.
Kapil Sibal’s Outrage: Call for Accountability
Former Union minister and senior advocate Kapil Sibal also condemned the incident, terming it inhuman. On social media, he fumed in anger: “Shame on us. Aryan, a 12th std student in Haryana, was shot at and killed by cow vigilantes. Mistaking him to be a ‘cow transporter’! The reason: Encouraging the agenda of hate.” Sibal’s comments reflect a broader concern about the growing tide of vigilantism in India, especially regarding cow protection.
Sibal also attacked the country’s leadership and asked, “Will our PM, our Vice-President, our Home Minister speak up?” His incisive questions underline the frustration felt by many who believe the government has not done enough to contain the growing menace of vigilante violence. He condemned not only the incident but also what he termed a climate of impunity and encouragement created because of divisive rhetoric and failure on the part of the authorities to take stringent action against the accused.
Growing Vigilantism: A Dangerous Trend
The killing of Aryan Mishra is not a stray case. From time to time during the last couple of years, reports of cow vigilantes perpetrating acts of violence have been brought to light from several Indian states. The vigilantism masquerading as cow protection has achieved nothing but abysmal effects on the lives of innocent persons who happened to be the mistaken target of such vigilantism.
There are those who relate this sudden spurt in vigilantism with the larger socio-political ambiance, where religious and cultural sensitivities related to cow protection have been used as a weapon. As critics point out, the apparent inertia of the government, tacit encouragement for these groups whetted the appetite and brought about an increase in violence against minorities and other vulnerable groups.
From the calls by human rights organizations and activists for the firmer enforcement of the law against the vigilante groups to the claims of crimes and gang-related activities, replete with names of the alleged gang members, a lack of coordinated response has tended to heighten fears and insecurity among those who may be more open to these sorts of attacks.
Political and Public Reactions
The Aryan Mishra murder case has finally thrown the doors wide open to debate on vigilantism in India, and it is a clarion call that the country’s political leaders, civil society, and ordinary people have been demanding. Strong words by Kapil Sibal found an echo in the sentiments of many who shared his fears about which direction the country was taking.
This incident has given the Opposition parties an opportunity to lash at the ruling government over its complicity in perpetuating a culture that allows these acts of violence to happen. They have also demanded speedier justice in the Aryan Mishra case and action to avoid these incidents in future.
Demonstrations and candlelight vigils have been held in many cities in protest, while social media is abuzz with solidarity messages with the family of Aryan and demands for justice. The incident stirred discussions of the role of the police and the judiciary in dealing with the increasing menace of vigilantism.
Conclusion
The killing of Aryan Mishra is a sad incident that has cropped up in the farce of unregulated vigilantism and accountability required right at the top in government. Kapil Sibal has let loose his cannons against the prime minister, Modi, and Vice-President Dhankhar. That reflects frustration and anger felt by many who hold the view that this government needs to do more in order to avoid such incidents and secure the lives of its innocent citizens.
But the big question of vigilantism is not going to go away, while the investigation regarding Aryan’s murder is still ongoing. Justice for Aryan Mishra does not lie just in avenging his death by punishing the killers but in finding the roots of this violence and seeing that no more lives will be sacrificed at the altar of hate and impunity. Now the question is to what extent leadership will do what is needed from them to confront this challenge head-on.
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