Visuals of inhumane treatment of a young man accused of chain-snatching are appalling. Last month, self-styled vigilantes engaged in moral policing were also observed chasing, stalking, and defaming a couple of young girls publically at Gumat Bazar in Jammu city. The media also acts in contravention of the spirit of journalism by glorifying acts of barbarism through its overly enthusiastic coverage of a youth who was paraded semi-naked by inscribing an objectionable title on his face besides having half of his head, moustache, and eyebrows shaved. This is a matter of self-introspection for media people about the rot degrading the fourth pillar of democracy.
These incidents reflect the alarming rise of a dangerous kangaroo court culture in our society, in which individuals or groups take the law into their own hand, circumventing established legal procedures and frequently resorting to violence and public humiliation. This indeed highlights a serious concern about the erosion of the rule of law and the rise of mob justice. While, the silence of the police and those who profess to be guardians of human rights is questionable, permitting a mob to go scot-free for undermining the law of the land is profoundly regrettable. For effective control of crime and criminals, it is essential for every responsible citizen to support the law enforcement agencies. However, resorting to instant justice on the street is an abnormal behaviour that, if allowed to persist, may transform the entire city into a habitat of zombies.