Is vigilante behaviour justified, or are we descending into anarchy?

A family in the city is now forced to leave town. The reason? Their son was thrashed for ‘eve-teasing’. Unable to tolerate constant humiliation, the parents are now thinking of leaving life in Hyderabad behind. Again, just this week, a cabbie at Madhapur was beaten by an irate mob who thought he was trying to “abduct” a woman Then there was the famous incident of two boys being tied to a tree and beaten for “teasing a girl”.

It’s a wave of civilian rage that’s sweeping the city and after the Delhi gang rape case, nobody wants a repeat. Many have praised the public’s response but then, vigilantism has always had its disadvantages, especially for those at the other end of the stick.

There’s also an immediate absence of legal procedure. There’s also the risk of faces appearing in the media — which means an immediate end to careers and prospects.

The question is, while such acts, brings back faith in humanity, where then do we draw a line? Is such an act even justified?

Yoganand, DCP of Madhapur (where the cabbie incident took place), believes it’s a “welcome move” by the public. “What they did was a spontaneous reaction to a crime. Whether it is right or wrong, I won’t comment now, but it is definitely a welcome move. But it is good that the public is on the lookout now.”

Meanwhile, Sudheer Babu, DCP West Zone, says the public doesn’t have the right to beat up anyone! “While people reacted on moral grounds, according to the law it is wrong. No person has the right to beat up another. Don’t take the law into your hands. It is good that people are reacting, but they should follow protocol. Simply because, this rage will not stop. People can start beating up anyone keeping in mind their own bias.”

And an out-of-control mob frenzy is what experts are warning us about. Psychologist, Pulkit Sharma, Vimhans, points at anarchy. “While it is important to help, boundaries must be clear. The fact that you are standing up to such trouble-makers is in itself a great thing.”

But, unsurprisingly, the ‘armed janta’, are reaching for their footwear.

“How can we ignore all this? There are cases all over. Vigilante justice will make people think twice before misbehaving. I also feel the public should be educated on the laws and provisions in such cases,” says Varun Nela, a techie.

And Nivedita Rayavarapu, working professional, joins him in celebrating this movement.

“People are waking up. There was a time when women were attacked in broad daylight, and on crowded junctions. Nobody lifted a finger! But now, we we have come a long way. I’m not going to comment on the right or wrong of things. Let’s just look at the brighter side,” she says.

Shalini Saigal, HR executive, feels the movement is helping the police.

“The police force cannot be everywhere to prevent such atrocities. So, the public must act as guardians. In case, the public finds such cases, they should immediately take charge. It will send out a strong message.”

That’s where trouble lies.

It is certainly true that some action is better than no action — but what's the message we are sending out? Are our streets the

new courts?