The murder of a father and son in Tamil Nadu came at the heels of unprecedented Indian participation in the #BlackLivesMatter movement after George Floyd’s death. Yet, no such solidarity for the two men murdered by Indian police.
As much as I love when people take interest in matters beyond their small lives, performative activism boils my blood. #BlackLivesMatter trended across the Internet starting with the police brutality against, and resulting death of George Floyd. tragic death sent shock waves across the world. Even in India, a country known for its racism towards black people, a hearteningly large number of politicians, public figures, celebrities, businesses, and us regular folk put up a black image and a #BlackLivesMatter post on our socials.
Some observed the #TheShowMustStop movement, including The Ladies Compartment; for a week, people stopped promoting businesses and themselves. Truly, the solidarity shown my Indians for the Black Lives Matter movement was beautiful.
So, why aren’t we showing the same passion closer to home?
Father and son Jayaram and Benix were murdered by police who arrested them for a minor offence. The two died from the injuries sustained during their torture and after being repeatedly sodomised by officers. Instances of police brutality has only escalated since the attack on Jamia students earlier this year.
With no real punishment meted out to the offending cops as of yet, it’s no surprise that emboldened officers were caught on camera abusing and harassing migrant labour on their way home
While Tamil Nadu media reported the hell out this case, highlighting the pattern of policy brutality pervasive in the State and our country, social media activists like celebrities and North India media barely paid the horrific case any mind.
Also Read: more #TodayInDevelopment comics.
India clocks five custodial deaths a day; the New Model Police Conduct was mandated by the Supreme Court 14 years ago– to date, only 14 states have adopted the new code. Even among those states, studies show a large number of officers have never received human rights or sensitivity training.
Yet…
Even while taking suo moto congnisance of the murders, the Madras High Court tried to make excuses for the police officers accused. The court said the cops were under unusual stress because of the pandemic. This may be true, but does it justify torture and murder?
The cops were at first only transferred to another district, where they could continue to terrorise new people.
(c) The Ladies Compartment
Leave a Reply