Saima Khan

The recent case of lynching, on 20 June 2024, in Madyan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district exemplifies the alarming consequences of blasphemy accusations and mob violence. On Thursday night, a man fell victim to a frenzied mob allegedly over the desecration of the Holy Quran, as reported by the Swat District Police Officer (DPO), Dr. Zahidullah Khan.

According to DPO Khan, the police initially intervened by moving the suspect to the police station following the desecration allegations. However, an enraged mob stormed the police station, overpowering law enforcement and forcibly retrieving the suspect. Subsequently, the mob set fire to the police station and a police vehicle, escalating the situation into a violent frenzy.

Videos circulating on social media depict the horrifying scene of the mob surrounding and setting ablaze the suspect’s body in the middle of a road. Additionally, large crowds gathered outside the police station, reflecting the widespread public outrage and the volatile nature of the incident. According to initial reports the victim was a tourist from Punjab and there was no credible evidence that he burnt the pages of the Holy Quran.

Lynching incidents in Pakistan, particularly those linked to blasphemy allegations, represent a severe challenge to law and order, human rights, and societal harmony. This report provides an analytical overview of several recent and notable lynching incidents, examining their contexts, implications, and proposing recommendations for addressing this critical issue.

Recent Incidents

1. Swat Incident (June 2024):

• Location: Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
• Victim: Unnamed tourist from Sialkot accused of blasphemy.
• Details: A mob stormed a police station, seized the accused, beat him to death and his body was put to torch. The incident highlighted ongoing issues with mob violence and the inadequacies in law enforcement responses.

2. Sargodha Incident (May 2024):

• Location: Sargodha district, Punjab province.
• Victim: Nazir Masih, a Christian man.
• Details: Nazir Masih was severely assaulted over blasphemy allegations, leading to his death despite medical treatment. He succumbed to his injuries three weeks later. The incident reflected communal tensions and the dire consequences of blasphemy accusations.

3.        Sialkot Incident (3 Dec, 2021)

               Location: Factory in Sialkot

               Victim: Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana was a 49-year-old Sri Lankan.

              Details: The victim was a manager at a factory in Sialkot. He was lynched    by a mob over allegations of blasphemy.

4.        Mardan Incident (April 2017):

• Location: Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan.
• Victim: Mashal Khan, a student.
• Details: Mashal Khan was lynched by fellow students based on blasphemy allegations. The incident highlighted the dangerous consequences of false accusations and mob violence.

4. Chitral Incident (April 2017, attempted lynching):

• Location: Shahi Mosque, Chitral district.
• Victim: Rashid Ahmed.
• Details: Accused of blasphemy, Rashid Ahmed narrowly escaped lynching due to the intervention of the mosque’s imam and subsequent police custody. The incident reinforced the volatile nature of blasphemy accusations.

5. Youhanabad Incident (March 2015):

• Location: Youhanabad neighborhood, Lahore.
• Victims: Babar Noman and Hafiz Naeem.
• Details: Lynched and burned by a mob after being accused of involvement in a bomb attack on Christian churches. The incident accentuated communal tensions and the vulnerability of minority communities.

6. Kot Radha Kishan Incident (November 2014):

• Location: Kot Radha Kishan, Punjab province.
• Victims: Shama and Shehzad Masih.
• Details: A Christian couple accused of blasphemy was beaten and burned alive by a mob in a brick kiln where they worked. This incident drew international attention to the misuse of blasphemy laws and the vulnerability of religious minorities in Pakistan.

7. Assassination of Tahir Naseem (July 2020):

• Location: Peshawar.
• Victim: Tahir Naseem.
• Details: Khalid Khan shot Tahir Naseem during a blasphemy trial inside a courtroom in Peshawar. Naseem, who belonged to the Ahmadi faith, was on trial for blasphemy charges. Khan claimed that he was following a directive from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) to kill Naseem due to his Ahmadi beliefs. The incident highlighted the ongoing persecution faced by Ahmadis in Pakistan and triggered demonstrations and social media campaigns in support of Khan, echoing the troubling glorification of vigilante actions in response to blasphemy allegations.

8. Salman Taseer Assassination (January 2011):

• Location: Koshsar Market, Islamabad.
• Victim: Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab.
• Details: Mumtaz Qadri assassinated Punjab Governor Salman Taseer at the Kohsar Market in Islamabad. Qadri, who was Taseer’s bodyguard, disagreed with Taseer’s opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, viewing Taseer’s stance as blasphemous against Islam. The assassination sparked celebrations and rallies in support of Qadri upon his execution.

9. Sialkot Incident (August 2010):

• Location: Buttar neighborhood, Sialkot district.
• Victims: Mughees and Muneeb.
• Details: Lynched by a mob, in presence of the police along with its chief, on accusations of robbery, despite later evidence suggesting innocence. The incident highlighted the dangers of vigilante justice and mob mentality.

10. Bahawalpur Incident (July 2012):

• Location: Chanigot town, Bahawalpur district.
• Victim: Ghulam Abbas.
• Details: Ghulam Abbas was accused of desecrating the Holy Quran, leading to widespread protests and unrest in the region.

Analysis of Key Factors

 There are multiple reasons behind this lynching phenomenon and mob mentality.

First, it depicts religious extremism and intolerance which has gradually seeped into the society over a period of four decades and has now snow-balled into a monster. Terrorism is also off-spring of religious extremism. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which prescribe severe penalties for insulting Islam, often serve as a catalyst for mob violence and vigilante justice. In such conditions, accusations, whether true or false, can ignite public outrage and lead to deadly consequences, undermining the rule of law and due process.

Secondly, weak legal system and inadequate police protection contribute to the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of lynching. The data shows that often lynching took place in presence of police. Delayed proceedings of courts and soft punishments further embolden the perpetrators to resort to such heinous acts. Police and courts have miserably failed to protect the citizens. Victims and culprits lack faith in the legal system’s ability to deliver justice.

Thirdly, media, especially social media becomes a catalyst of such incidents. False and fabricated information goes viral and ignites the sentiments of general public. Accusations and allegations are not verified and mobs resort to extreme violence. Mob psychology is exacerbated by provocative and unverified news on social media.

Fourthly, Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, particularly Sections 295-B and 295-C of the Penal Code, which prescribe severe penalties, including death, for offenses related to insulting Islam or the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), instead of giving opportunity to people to take the culprit to the police station, somehow give a license to enraged mobs to carry out jungle justice. It is abuse of a law which is aiding violence.

Mob Behavior in Lynching Incidents:

The behavior of mobs during lynching incidents is characterized by a disturbing blend of collective anger, religious fervor, and impunity. Understanding mob psychology and dynamics is crucial for devising strategies to prevent and mitigate such violence.

1. Group Dynamics and Deindividuation[1] [2]:
   1. Loss of Individuality: In a mob setting, individuals often lose their sense of personal responsibility and morality, influenced by the anonymity and collective identity of the group.
   1. Escalation of Violence: Mobs escalate violence quickly, fueled by a shared sense of outrage and the belief that they are acting in defense of religious values or community honor.
2. Confirmation Bias and Social Proof:
   1. Echo Chambers[3]: Social media and community narratives reinforce beliefs and prejudices, creating echo chambers where accusations of blasphemy are quickly accepted as truth.
   1. Confirmation Bias[4]: Once a blasphemy accusation gains traction, mob members seek confirmation of their beliefs, disregarding contrary evidence and escalating hostility.
3. Glorification and Social Approval:
   1. Heroic Narratives:[5] Perpetrators of lynching are sometimes hailed as defenders of religious honor or heroes who enforce moral standards.
   1. Social Approval:[6] In communities where blasphemy accusations are taken seriously, participation in lynching incidents may confer social status and approval, further fueling mob behavior.
4. Psychological Implications:
   1. Emotional Contagion:[7] Mobs experience a collective emotional contagion, where fear, anger, and righteousness spread rapidly, influencing individual behaviors.
   1. Dehumanization of Victims:[8] Victims of lynching are often dehumanized, viewed as deserving of punishment for their alleged offenses against religious sentiments.

Global Perspectives on Lynching: Cases Beyond Pakistan

Lynching, the act of extrajudicial killing by a mob, is not unique to Pakistan. It has a long and tragic history in various societies around the world, often driven by similar motives of perceived justice, racial, religious, or social prejudices, and the breakdown of formal legal systems. Lynching is a global issue, transcending cultural, national, and religious boundaries.

United States

The United States has a particularly infamous history of lynching, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lynchings were primarily racially motivated, targeting African Americans in the Southern states. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, over 4,000 African Americans were lynched between 1877 and 1950.

India

In recent years, India has witnessed a surge in mob lynchings, often fueled by religious and caste-based tensions. The incidents frequently involve accusations of cow slaughter or beef consumption, which is considered taboo in Hinduism. Notable cases include the lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in 2015, over rumors of beef consumption. These incidents highlight the deep-seated communal divisions and the challenges of enforcing law and order in a highly polarized society.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, lynching, often referred to as “jungle justice,” is prevalent in various parts of the country. These incidents are typically driven by accusations of theft, witchcraft, or other crimes. The lack of faith in the judicial system and law enforcement’s inefficacy are significant contributing factors.

Brazil

Brazil has a history of lynchings linked to high crime rates and public frustration with the judicial system. Vigilante justice is a response to perceived inefficacy in addressing crime, with mobs targeting suspected criminals, often based on flimsy evidence or mere suspicion. These acts reflect broader social issues, including inequality, corruption, and the public’s disillusionment with formal justice mechanisms.

South Africa

South Africa faces challenges with mob justice, often termed “necklacing,” where tires filled with petrol are placed around the victim’s neck and set ablaze. This practice gained notoriety during the anti-apartheid struggle but persists in modern times, driven by community frustration over crime and slow judicial processes. The violence is a stark reminder of the lingering social and economic disparities and the need for comprehensive criminal justice reforms.

But of course these examples do not provide any justification of lynching in Pakistan. We must learn lessons from the societies where such incidents do not take place.

Conclusion:

Lynching incidents in Pakistan, particularly those driven by blasphemy accusations, vividly illustrate profound systemic failures in law enforcement, judicial oversight, and societal tolerance. These incidents not only highlight the vulnerability of minority communities but also necessitates the exigent need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard human rights, promote social cohesion, and uphold the rule of law.

The recent tragic event on June 20, 2024, in the Madyan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of unchecked blasphemy accusations and mob violence. Despite initial police intervention following allegations of Quran desecration, a frenzied mob stormed the police station, wrested the suspect away, and subsequently set off a violent chain of events that resulted in the loss of life and property. Videos circulated on social media depicting the mob’s brutal actions, underscoring the widespread public outrage and the volatile nature of the situation.

This incident highlights the imperative for substantial reforms within Pakistan’s legal and social frameworks to counter the misuse of blasphemy accusations and curb the lethal outcomes of mob vigilantism. It is crucial to uphold the rule of law, protect minority rights, and combat the glorification of violence within our society.

Recommendations

By addressing these underlying factors and implementing targeted reforms, Pakistan can mitigate the prevalence of lynching incidents and foster a more inclusive and just society. Upholding human rights, protecting minorities, and ensuring fair legal processes are essential steps towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

1. Legal Reforms:
   1. Amend blasphemy laws to prevent misuse and ensure due process rights for the accused.
   1. Introduce legislation specifically addressing mob violence and vigilantism, with stringent penalties for perpetrators. In order to uphold the integrity of justice, it is essential to institute a new provision: alongside Sections 295-B and 295-C of the Penal Code, those who unlawfully harm or kill others, circumventing legal procedures and assuming the State’s authority, must be rigorously prosecuted and severely punished. This initiative is crucial for preventing vigilante acts and ensuring that justice remains firmly within the jurisdiction of the judiciary. By reinforcing the primacy of lawful processes, we can cultivate a society where justice is equitably dispensed and societal harmony is preserved.
2. Law Enforcement Strengthening:
   1. Provide specialized training for police in handling sensitive religious and communal issues.
   1. Establish rapid response teams to prevent mob violence and protect individuals at risk of lynching.
3. Community Engagement:
   1. Promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance through educational programs and community outreach initiatives.
   1. Encourage religious leaders to condemn vigilantism and advocate for due course of law.
4. Media Regulation:
   1. Implement guidelines to regulate hate speech and misinformation on social media platforms.
   1. Promote responsible journalism to mitigate the spread of provocative content that incites violence.
5. Reinvigorate Justice System:
6. People lack trust in the judicial system and often express their dismay over the snail-paced and corrupt legal system. It must be overhauled. The perpetrators of lynching must go to gallows.
7. Efforts for Interfaith harmony:
8. Religious scholars and educational institutions should make deliberate, planned and sustained efforts to bridle religious intolerance and extremism.

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[1] Zimbardo, P. G. (1969). The human choice: Individuation, reason, and order versus deindividuation, impulse, and chaos. Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, 17, 237-307. https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/gk002bt7757/gk002bt7757.pdf

[2] Stott, C., & Reicher, S. (1998). How conflict escalates: The intergroup dynamics of collective football crowd ‘violence’.

[3] Sunstein, C. R. (2018). #Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media. Princeton University Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324548791_Cass_R_Sunstein_Republic_Divided_Democracy_in_the_Age_of_Social_Media_Princeton_NJ_Princeton_University_Press_2017_Pp_xi310_2995

[4] Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175-220. https://pages.ucsd.edu/~mckenzie/nickersonConfirmationBias.pdf

[5] Hogg, M. A., & Adelman, J. R. (2013). Uncertainty-identity theory: Extreme groups, radical behavior, and authoritarian leadership. Journal of Social Issues

[6] Varshney, A. (2002). Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life: Hindus and Muslims in India. Yale University Press. https://www.ajis.org/index.php/ajiss/article/view/1822

[7] Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. (1994). Emotional contagion. Cambridge University Press. http://www.elainehatfield.com/uploads/3/4/5/2/34523593/50._hatfield_cacioppo__rapson_1993.pdf

8 Bandura, A., Underwood, B., & Fromson, M. E. (1975). Disinhibition of aggression through diffusion of responsibility and dehumanization of victims. Journal of Research in Personality, 9(4), 253-269. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/009265667590001X?via%3Dihub

 

The author is a researcher associated with The Strategic Brief.