The Cow Vigilantism and lack of Ground’s up momentum

The Cow Vigilantism and lack of Ground’s up momentum​

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 10th July 2018

The Vigilantes people have made little ground impact for the sake of development and tried to survive by hemorrhaging society of whatever little moral values, which were still left. While the Netas in the Opposition camp are trying to ramp up support, there is not much said about these Cow Vigilantes and other similar likes, where there is genuine public concern and a much greater focus on the leadership. Now, this is not to say that leadership should not be blamed, however if every small Neta in opposition is combating just some big poster Neta and it is likely that they would be forced to change their story in the fag-end of electoral scenarios. Then of course, we have the corruption that hasn’t stopped some of which has even been captured on idiot box trailing movement of cargo in the post GST era depicting systemic corruption. Now, the corruption depicted in the media may be a case for ‘clean bribery’, however there still exists policy driven corruption as well. This is on account of wastage in public services; take the example of state run educational institutions or healthcare systems where a mammoth machinery delivers almost nothing of value to people. Much of these have received little focus from Opposition Netas and just as Ruling party Netas relying of large Posters, these opposition Netas also seem to be trying to find their own large posters. The Netas in government having realized this, would play smart by neither whittling down the public expense for the fear of political back-lash but would now ensure that these institutions/systems continue to remain mis-managed as was the case earlier (may be because the Netas in opposition also seem to be in cohorts). If these articles in Management Paradise/social media had not been so vocal about Railways then I am sure it would have been having the same fate, but the ‘Commercial News Media’ won’t like to acknowledge the miniscule contribution, where it failed drastically over the years. And of course the Railways may not still be out of labyrinth of its woes but at least it now gets some attention, including from the commercial news media.

While some select medias have just about started to depict these public issues prominently, however much of the commercial news media industry has just maintained silence. Hopefully, we would also have reasons for sudden realization amongst parties and Netas about these ‘real issues’ of people. Although much campaign of these parties would still concentrate about the issue of finding replacement of some of the present day Netas while the real issues only form a back drop. Probably, these Netas would want to fall back on these real issues rather than wanting to have some forward movement. The fact remains even after public wielding the ‘big stick’ now by ensuring that such ‘Pappus’ are made to sit a considerable distance from power. Any development agenda is still quite a distance away as self-acclaims of Netas and pursuit the grab maximum seats seem to be on basis ‘electorally convenient pacts’ with other political parties. There is a perceptible lack of agenda even as ‘questioning’ by the Netas becomes shriller. While it may be easy to question about the ‘gaddha/pot-holes on roads’ that were promised to be filled by present Netas on their way to government, however come uppance of these pot-holes is not a 4-5 years phenomenon. The fact is vendors for roads have remained the same or even the ‘rate of cuts’ by Neta-bureaucrat complex hasn’t witnessed any decrease, and thus the status of pot-holes. The same Netas may be trying to rally people behind some Nationalist slogan or some ‘other issues’ to polarize or muzzle the public opinion away from the ‘issues’, banking of course on ‘supportive’ commercial news media. It for the Netas to know that when ‘real issues’ were voiced by the ‘lone ranger’ that is ‘Game’, some change happened and so it may now be a losing affair to attempt trying to deviate public. Trying to bring out past corrupt practices and action against the same might be a better idea or else the see-saw amongst the Netas/political parties would perhaps continue for some-time. Let the ‘Game’ evolve…

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

The phenomenon of "cow vigilantism" in India highlights a significant issue where community-based activism has taken a dangerous and often extralegal turn, focusing on the protection of cows, which are considered sacred by many Hindus. This form of vigilantism, often led by self-appointed guardians, has gained traction in certain regions, fueled by religious sentiments and a lack of effective state intervention. These groups operate under the guise of moral policing, frequently targeting individuals they suspect of cow slaughter or beef consumption, regardless of legal or constitutional protections. The rise of such vigilante groups is not only a reflection of deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs but also indicates a broader societal and political climate that often lacks the ground-level momentum for more inclusive and peaceful solutions.

The lack of ground’s up momentum to address and mitigate the issue of cow vigilantism is particularly concerning. Rather than fostering community dialogues and educational campaigns to promote mutual respect and understanding, there is a notable absence of grassroots initiatives that could help bridge the gaps between different social and religious groups. This void is exacerbated by the sometimes passive or even supportive stance taken by certain political and administrative bodies, which can embolden vigilantes and create a perception of impunity. As a result, efforts to combat this form of vigilantism often come from the top down, through sporadic government crackdowns or judicial interventions, which can be reactive and insufficient in the long term.

Moreover, the absence of a robust civil society response further complicates the situation. While there are some NGOs and activists working to protect the rights of vulnerable communities, their efforts are often met with resistance and can be limited in scope and impact. The need for a more comprehensive and community-driven approach is evident, one that involves local leaders, educators, and law enforcement working together to foster a culture of tolerance and legal compliance. Without such ground-level initiatives, the cycle of violence and fear perpetuated by cow vigilantism is likely to continue, eroding the social fabric and undermining the principles of justice and equality in the process.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The Cow Vigilantism and lack of Ground’s up momentum​

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 10th July 2018

The Vigilantes people have made little ground impact for the sake of development and tried to survive by hemorrhaging society of whatever little moral values, which were still left. While the Netas in the Opposition camp are trying to ramp up support, there is not much said about these Cow Vigilantes and other similar likes, where there is genuine public concern and a much greater focus on the leadership. Now, this is not to say that leadership should not be blamed, however if every small Neta in opposition is combating just some big poster Neta and it is likely that they would be forced to change their story in the fag-end of electoral scenarios. Then of course, we have the corruption that hasn’t stopped some of which has even been captured on idiot box trailing movement of cargo in the post GST era depicting systemic corruption. Now, the corruption depicted in the media may be a case for ‘clean bribery’, however there still exists policy driven corruption as well. This is on account of wastage in public services; take the example of state run educational institutions or healthcare systems where a mammoth machinery delivers almost nothing of value to people. Much of these have received little focus from Opposition Netas and just as Ruling party Netas relying of large Posters, these opposition Netas also seem to be trying to find their own large posters. The Netas in government having realized this, would play smart by neither whittling down the public expense for the fear of political back-lash but would now ensure that these institutions/systems continue to remain mis-managed as was the case earlier (may be because the Netas in opposition also seem to be in cohorts). If these articles in Management Paradise/social media had not been so vocal about Railways then I am sure it would have been having the same fate, but the ‘Commercial News Media’ won’t like to acknowledge the miniscule contribution, where it failed drastically over the years. And of course the Railways may not still be out of labyrinth of its woes but at least it now gets some attention, including from the commercial news media.

While some select medias have just about started to depict these public issues prominently, however much of the commercial news media industry has just maintained silence. Hopefully, we would also have reasons for sudden realization amongst parties and Netas about these ‘real issues’ of people. Although much campaign of these parties would still concentrate about the issue of finding replacement of some of the present day Netas while the real issues only form a back drop. Probably, these Netas would want to fall back on these real issues rather than wanting to have some forward movement. The fact remains even after public wielding the ‘big stick’ now by ensuring that such ‘Pappus’ are made to sit a considerable distance from power. Any development agenda is still quite a distance away as self-acclaims of Netas and pursuit the grab maximum seats seem to be on basis ‘electorally convenient pacts’ with other political parties. There is a perceptible lack of agenda even as ‘questioning’ by the Netas becomes shriller. While it may be easy to question about the ‘gaddha/pot-holes on roads’ that were promised to be filled by present Netas on their way to government, however come uppance of these pot-holes is not a 4-5 years phenomenon. The fact is vendors for roads have remained the same or even the ‘rate of cuts’ by Neta-bureaucrat complex hasn’t witnessed any decrease, and thus the status of pot-holes. The same Netas may be trying to rally people behind some Nationalist slogan or some ‘other issues’ to polarize or muzzle the public opinion away from the ‘issues’, banking of course on ‘supportive’ commercial news media. It for the Netas to know that when ‘real issues’ were voiced by the ‘lone ranger’ that is ‘Game’, some change happened and so it may now be a losing affair to attempt trying to deviate public. Trying to bring out past corrupt practices and action against the same might be a better idea or else the see-saw amongst the Netas/political parties would perhaps continue for some-time. Let the ‘Game’ evolve…

This political article brilliantly unveils complex truths with both precision and an engaging touch. The writer's writing style is remarkably articulate and nuanced, capable of dissecting intricate political situations while maintaining a captivating flow. It's a testament to their ability to combine rigorous analysis with compelling prose. The structure is meticulously designed, guiding the reader through layers of political context and argumentation with a seamless and intuitive progression. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a comprehensive understanding of the forces at play. Furthermore, the outstanding clarity of the political insights is a defining feature. Arguments are presented with such sharp focus, and conclusions are drawn with such lucid directness, that the article becomes an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper, unambiguous understanding of political realities.