Editorial

Noida’s Mob Justice and Racial Problems

By the Editor: Siddharth Sehgal

India and Indian’s are reaching out to the world; we are opening our doors, inviting people to come to our country for investments, setting up factories and also to enjoy our rich culture and heritage. The world has also opened its doors for us though it’s another thing that some doors are being closed on our faces these days but if we don’t like our countrymen’s mistreatment overseas we have to make sure we protect our guests at home too.

Noida’s recent incident was one such example where a criminal incident turned into an ugly racial riot and TV screens filled with frightening pictures, videos of attacks on African nationals and students. I know what being an other, an outsider feels like and trust me it does not feel good to be judged by the color of your skin. If people had complaints, they should have gone to the authorities and yes I know there is corruption in the system and concerns are not always heard but resorting to blind mob violence will put the blame on all of us. The bereaved family and the organizers of the march should have taken control of the situation. Though I am surprised if they were aware of their kid’s drug problems then why didn’t intervene in time. I know there are instances where some African nationals were found involved in illegal activities but that doesn’t mean we start swinging our fists right and left at every African we come across. These hooligans don’t represent India or Indians but its actions such as these that will be portrayed in world media to smear our face.

I know we are not always welcoming to outsiders because of our history, even as Indians we sometime feel like foreigners when we move to other state, place city or community but we as citizens have to spread awareness about these issues through media and other social networking outlets. We have to start taking initiatives. These incidents impact tourism, foreign investments, foreign relations but above all it risks the well being of Indian citizens and diplomats working in distant lands. They can be a target of anger and hatred because of some unsavory incident here at home. New UP government and center has to make sure due justice is carried out in this case so that mischievous elements can get a very strong message that there is a rule of law not a mob’s whim that govern this land.

One Comment

  1. O K R Sivagnanam

    If everyone takes law in their own hands, what we may witness is just chaos which in no way will contribute to the well-being of the society of which we are an indispensable part!
    What after all we all legitimately wish for is peace and harmony to prevail!
    May we not jeopardize the lives of others by resorting to unruly activities even against the provocations!
    May we remain calm and at poise, leaving the matter to the law of the land that necessarily must dispense law to its strictest meaning!