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2020 Palghar mob lynching: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Indian group killing}} | {{short description|Indian group killing}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}} | {{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}} | ||
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On 16 April 2020, a [[Vigilantism|vigilante group]] [[Lynching|lynched]] two [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Sadhu]]s and their driver in [[Gadchinchale|Gadchinchale Village]], [[Palghar district|Palghar District]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. The incident was fuelled by WhatsApp rumours of thieves operating in the area during the [[2020 coronavirus lockdown in India|countrywide coronavirus lockdown]]. The [[Vigilantism|vigilante]] group of villagers had mistaken the three passengers as thieves and killed them.<ref name="Reuters" /> [[Police officer|Policemen]] who intervened were also attacked; four policemen and a senior police officer were injured.<ref name="India Today"/><ref name="DNA" /> | On 16 April 2020, a [[Vigilantism|vigilante group]] [[Lynching|lynched]] two [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Sadhu]]s and their driver in [[Gadchinchale|Gadchinchale Village]], [[Palghar district|Palghar District]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. The incident was fuelled by WhatsApp rumours of thieves operating in the area during the [[2020 coronavirus lockdown in India|countrywide coronavirus lockdown]]. The [[Vigilantism|vigilante]] group of villagers had mistaken the three passengers as thieves and killed them.<ref name="Reuters" /> [[Police officer|Policemen]] who intervened were also attacked; four policemen and a senior police officer were injured.<ref name="India Today"/><ref name="DNA" /> | ||
As of 4 May, 115 villagers have been arrested by the [[Maharashtra Police|Maharashtra police]] on charges of murder and an investigation is ongoing.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palghar-lynching-india-arrests-110-suspends-police-officers-rumor-fuelled-slayings-3-men/|title=110 arrested over latest deadly lynch mob attack in India|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Five more arrested in Palghar lynching case, 115 so far|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/five-more-arrested-in-palghar-lynching-case-1673383-2020-05-01|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> After the incident, rumours were spread to stoke [[Religious violence in India|religious tension]].<ref name="BBC" /> On 22 April, Maharashtra Home Minister, [[Anil Deshmukh]] posted a complete list of people arrested, stating that none of the arrested were [[Muslims]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/palghar-mob-lynching-anil-deshmukh-releases-list-of-101-people-arrested/articleshow/75288323.cms|title=Palghar mob lynching: Anil Deshmukh releases list of 101 people arrested|website=Pune Mirror|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The government said that both the attackers and the victims were of same religion.<ref name=" | As of 4 May, 115 villagers have been arrested by the [[Maharashtra Police|Maharashtra police]] on charges of murder and an investigation is ongoing.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palghar-lynching-india-arrests-110-suspends-police-officers-rumor-fuelled-slayings-3-men/|title=110 arrested over latest deadly lynch mob attack in India|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Five more arrested in Palghar lynching case, 115 so far|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/five-more-arrested-in-palghar-lynching-case-1673383-2020-05-01|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref> After the incident, rumours were spread to stoke [[Religious violence in India|religious tension]].<ref name="BBC" /> On 22 April, Maharashtra Home Minister, [[Anil Deshmukh]] posted a complete list of people arrested, stating that none of the arrested were [[Muslims]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/palghar-mob-lynching-anil-deshmukh-releases-list-of-101-people-arrested/articleshow/75288323.cms|title=Palghar mob lynching: Anil Deshmukh releases list of 101 people arrested|website=Pune Mirror|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The government said that both the attackers and the victims were of same religion.<ref name="DNA" /><ref name="BBC" /> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
In the past, attacks and lynchings fueled by rumours on WhatsApp have occurred in India, where the fast propagation of [[fake news]] has led to violent outcomes. Often the fake news involves rumours of child kidnapping or roaming bandits.<ref>{{cite news |title=Murderous mob — 9 states, 27 killings, one year: And a pattern to the lynchings |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/murderous-mob-lynching-incidents-in-india-dhule-whatsapp-rumour-5247741/ |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=15 July 2018}}</ref | In the past, attacks and lynchings fueled by rumours on WhatsApp have occurred in India, where the fast propagation of [[fake news]] has led to violent outcomes. Often the fake news involves rumours of child kidnapping or roaming bandits.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Murderous mob — 9 states, 27 killings, one year: And a pattern to the lynchings |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/murderous-mob-lynching-incidents-in-india-dhule-whatsapp-rumour-5247741/ |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=15 July 2018}}</ref> | ||
After rumours spread in the village about the possible activity of organ harvesting gangs and kidnappers in the area at night, the villagers formed a [[Vigilantism|vigilante group]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/palghar-mob-lynching-mahant-kalpavruksha-giri-6370528/|title=Palghar lynching: All you need to know|last=Sheikh|first=Zeeshan|date=2020-04-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref> According to the Gadchinchale [[Sarpanch]] (village head) a rumour had been floating in the village from the messaging app [[WhatsApp]], claiming a gang of child thieves harvesting organs was active in the area during the lock-down.<ref name="Patrika News" /><ref name="MumbaiMirror">{{cite news |last1=Panigrahi |first1=Debasish |title=Everything you need to know about the Palghar attack where sadhus were lynched by a mob |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-palghar-attack-where-sadhus-were-lynched-by-a-mob/articleshow/75248136.cms |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Mumbai Mirror |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> India was under a [[2020 coronavirus lockdown in India|countrywide lockdown]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|coronavirus pandemic]] at the time of the incident.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=Police arrest 110 people over lynching in western India |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-crime/police-arrest-110-people-over-lynching-in-western-india-idUSKBN2222HT?il=0 |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=Reuters |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The arrival of the vehicle at night caused the villagers to suspect that the passengers were members of the gang of child thieves.<ref name="Patrika News">{{cite news |title=पालघर लिंचिंग : व्हाट्सएप से फैली थी अफवाह, सरपंच ने बताई सच्चाई |url=https://www.patrika.com/miscellenous-india/palghar-lynching-rumor-spread-via-whatsapp-sarpanch-chitra-told-truth-6029242/ |work=Patrika News |date=23 April 2020}}</ref> | After rumours spread in the village about the possible activity of organ harvesting gangs and kidnappers in the area at night, the villagers formed a [[Vigilantism|vigilante group]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/palghar-mob-lynching-mahant-kalpavruksha-giri-6370528/|title=Palghar lynching: All you need to know|last=Sheikh|first=Zeeshan|date=2020-04-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref> According to the Gadchinchale [[Sarpanch]] (village head) a rumour had been floating in the village from the messaging app [[WhatsApp]], claiming a gang of child thieves harvesting organs was active in the area during the lock-down.<ref name="Patrika News" /><ref name="MumbaiMirror">{{cite news |last1=Panigrahi |first1=Debasish |title=Everything you need to know about the Palghar attack where sadhus were lynched by a mob |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-palghar-attack-where-sadhus-were-lynched-by-a-mob/articleshow/75248136.cms |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Mumbai Mirror |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> India was under a [[2020 coronavirus lockdown in India|countrywide lockdown]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|coronavirus pandemic]] at the time of the incident.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=Police arrest 110 people over lynching in western India |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-crime/police-arrest-110-people-over-lynching-in-western-india-idUSKBN2222HT?il=0 |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=Reuters |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The arrival of the vehicle at night caused the villagers to suspect that the passengers were members of the gang of child thieves.<ref name="Patrika News">{{cite news |title=पालघर लिंचिंग : व्हाट्सएप से फैली थी अफवाह, सरपंच ने बताई सच्चाई |url=https://www.patrika.com/miscellenous-india/palghar-lynching-rumor-spread-via-whatsapp-sarpanch-chitra-told-truth-6029242/ |work=Patrika News |date=23 April 2020}}</ref> | ||
==Incident== | ==Incident== | ||
Two Juna [[Akhara]] [[Sadhu | Two Juna [[Akhara]] [[Sadhu]]s<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three Men Lynched in Maharashtra, BJP Leaders Push Communal Angle|url=https://thewire.in/rights/three-men-lynched-in-maharashtra-two-from-nomadic-tribe-bjp-leaders-push-communal-angle|last=|first=|date=|website=The Wire|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref> Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70 years old) and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35 years old) along with their 30-year-old driver Nilesh Telgade were travelling to attend the funeral of their Guru Shri Mahant Ramgiri<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/could-palghar-lynchings-have-been-averted-1669180-2020-04-21|title=Could Palghar lynchings have been averted?|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> in [[Surat district|Surat]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/palghar-mob-lynching-police-take-101-into-custody-all-you-need-to-know/story/401473.html|title=Palghar mob lynching: Police take 101 into custody; all you need to know|website=www.businesstoday.in|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-govt-cracks-whip-over-palghar-mob-lynching-all-that-s-happened-1668997-2020-04-20|title=Maharashtra govt cracks whip over Palghar mob lynching: All that's happened|date=20 April 2020|work=India Today|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> Around 10 pm, as they were passing through [[Gadchinchale]], 140 km north of Mumbai, a forest department sentry stopped their car at local checkpoint. While they were talking to the sentry the vigilante group accosted and attacked them with sticks and axes.<ref name=":0" /> The ''Indian Express'' reported that the victims were mistaken for being child thieves and organ harvesters.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52350728|title=More than 100 arrested over India lynching|date=2020-04-20|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-04-20|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zargar |first1=Arshad R. |title=110 arrested over latest deadly lynch mob attack in India |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palghar-lynching-india-arrests-110-suspends-police-officers-rumor-fuelled-slayings-3-men/ |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=CBS News |date=20 April 2020}}</ref> | ||
According to reports published on 17 April, the police had tried to control the mob, but they were beaten when they tried to intervene.<ref name="India Today">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/3-men-lynched-in-maharashtra-on-suspicion-of-being-robbers-1668027-2020-04-17|title=3 men lynched in Maharashtra on suspicion of being robbers|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/maharashtra/mumbai-3-people-lynched-on-suspicion-of-theft-in-palghar-maharashtra-20201672.html|title=Mob Lynching : तीन पर टूट पडी 100 लोगों की भीड़, बेमौत मारे गये निर्दोष|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mengle|first=Gautam S.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/3-lynched-in-palghar-after-rumours-over-mistaken-identity/article31371237.ece|title=3 lynched in Palghar after rumours over mistaken identity|date=2020-04-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Four policemen and a senior police officer received injuries in the incident.<ref name="India Today" /><ref name="DNA" /> | According to reports published on 17 April, the police had tried to control the mob, but they were beaten when they tried to intervene.<ref name="India Today">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/3-men-lynched-in-maharashtra-on-suspicion-of-being-robbers-1668027-2020-04-17|title=3 men lynched in Maharashtra on suspicion of being robbers|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/maharashtra/mumbai-3-people-lynched-on-suspicion-of-theft-in-palghar-maharashtra-20201672.html|title=Mob Lynching : तीन पर टूट पडी 100 लोगों की भीड़, बेमौत मारे गये निर्दोष|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mengle|first=Gautam S.|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/3-lynched-in-palghar-after-rumours-over-mistaken-identity/article31371237.ece|title=3 lynched in Palghar after rumours over mistaken identity|date=2020-04-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Four policemen and a senior police officer received injuries in the incident.<ref name="India Today" /><ref name="DNA" /> | ||
On 19 April, several bystander videos went viral. In one of the videos, a police officer is seen leading Kalpavrukshagiri out of a building. The mob begins attacking Kalpavrukshagiri who is seen begging for his life, while policemen try to control the situation.<ref name=":4" /> The attackers then take him away and kill him.<ref>{{cite news |title=110 arrested over latest deadly lynch mob attack in India |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palghar-lynching-india-arrests-110-suspends-police-officers-rumor-fuelled-slayings-3-men/ |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=cbsnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/could-palghar-lynchings-have-been-averted-1669180-2020-04-21|title=Could Palghar lynchings have been averted?|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21 | On 19 April, several bystander videos went viral. In one of the videos, a police officer is seen leading Kalpavrukshagiri out of a building. The mob begins attacking Kalpavrukshagiri who is seen begging for his life, while policemen try to control the situation.<ref name=":4" /> The attackers then take him away and kill him.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-sadhus-among-3-killed-by-mob-in-maharashtra-bjp-seeks-probe-2214013|title=2 Sadhus Among 3 Killed By Mob In Maharashtra, BJP Seeks Probe|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=110 arrested over latest deadly lynch mob attack in India |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/palghar-lynching-india-arrests-110-suspends-police-officers-rumor-fuelled-slayings-3-men/ |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=cbsnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/could-palghar-lynchings-have-been-averted-1669180-2020-04-21|title=Could Palghar lynchings have been averted?|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref> In another video, the mob is seen breaking the windows of a [[Police car|police patrol vehicle]]. The vehicle is seen rolled over with shattered glass in yet another video.<ref name=":4" /> | ||
==Arrests== | ==Arrests== | ||
According to the Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, 101 persons were arrested by the police within 8 hours of the offence.<ref name=":1a">{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/no-muslims-among-101-accused-for-palghar-sadhu-lynching-maha-home-minister-anil-deshmukh|title=No Muslims among 101 accused for Palghar sadhu lynching: Maha Home Minister Anil Deshmukh|website=Free Press Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> Nine juveniles were also among those and two police officers were suspended for alleged negligence on duty, until an inquiry is conducted in the case. | According to the Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, 101 persons were arrested by the police within 8 hours of the offence.<ref name=":1a">{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/no-muslims-among-101-accused-for-palghar-sadhu-lynching-maha-home-minister-anil-deshmukh|title=No Muslims among 101 accused for Palghar sadhu lynching: Maha Home Minister Anil Deshmukh|website=Free Press Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> Nine juveniles were also among those and two police officers were suspended for alleged negligence on duty, until an inquiry is conducted in the case. | ||
<ref name=":1" >{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/two-police-officers-suspended-after-palghar-mob-lynching-incident-1669019-2020-04-20|title=Two police officers suspended after Palghar mob lynching incident|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/palghar-mob-lynching-9-out-of-110-arrested-are-juvenile-say-cops/22740235|title=Palghar mob-lynching: 9 out of 110 arrested are juvenile, say cops|date=2020-04-20|website=mid-day|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref | <ref name=":1" >{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/two-police-officers-suspended-after-palghar-mob-lynching-incident-1669019-2020-04-20|title=Two police officers suspended after Palghar mob lynching incident|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref><ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/palghar-mob-lynching-9-out-of-110-arrested-are-juvenile-say-cops/22740235|title=Palghar mob-lynching: 9 out of 110 arrested are juvenile, say cops|date=2020-04-20|website=mid-day|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Divyesh |title=Two police officers suspended after Palghar mob lynching incident |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/two-police-officers-suspended-after-palghar-mob-lynching-incident-1669019-2020-04-20 |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=India Today |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The police said that all the accused were from the Vikramgad Taluka and Gadchnchale village in the Dahanu Taluka, of the Palghar district. | ||
On 22 April, Home Minister Deshmukh posted a complete list of people arrested, and said that none of the people arrested were Muslims and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP)-led opposition in Maharashtra was trying to make the lynching a religious [[Hindu–Islamic relations|Hindu-Muslim]] issue.<ref name=":2" /> He stated the case was being investigated by the Maharashtra [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|CID]] (Criminal Investigation Department).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/palghar-mob-killing-101-arrests-no-muslim-maharashtra-minister-on-sadhus-mob-killing-2216042|title="101 Arrests, No Muslim": Maharashtra Minister On Sadhus' Mob Killing|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The government said that the attackers and the victims were of the same religion.<ref name="DNA">{{cite news |title=Palghar Lynching: Maha govt warns against floating 'communal angle', says attackers and victims were of 'same religion' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-palghar-lynching-maha-govt-warns-against-floating-communal-angle-says-attackers-and-victims-were-of-same-religion-2821742 |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=DNA India |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Inhuman to Give Communal Colour to Palghar Lynching, Says Shiv Sena |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/inhuman-to-give-communal-colour-to-palghar-lynching-says-shiv-sena-2586571.html |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=News18}}</ref> | On 22 April, Home Minister Deshmukh posted a complete list of people arrested, and said that none of the people arrested were Muslims and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP)-led opposition in Maharashtra was trying to make the lynching a religious [[Hindu–Islamic relations|Hindu-Muslim]] issue.<ref name=":2" /> He stated the case was being investigated by the Maharashtra [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|CID]] (Criminal Investigation Department).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/palghar-mob-killing-101-arrests-no-muslim-maharashtra-minister-on-sadhus-mob-killing-2216042|title="101 Arrests, No Muslim": Maharashtra Minister On Sadhus' Mob Killing|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The government said that the attackers and the victims were of the same religion.<ref name="DNA">{{cite news |title=Palghar Lynching: Maha govt warns against floating 'communal angle', says attackers and victims were of 'same religion' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-palghar-lynching-maha-govt-warns-against-floating-communal-angle-says-attackers-and-victims-were-of-same-religion-2821742 |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=DNA India |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Inhuman to Give Communal Colour to Palghar Lynching, Says Shiv Sena |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/inhuman-to-give-communal-colour-to-palghar-lynching-says-shiv-sena-2586571.html |access-date=23 April 2020 |work=News18}}</ref> | ||