A day after the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were gunned down by terrorists on July 10, vociferous protests were held throughout India. One of them which stood out was that by a newly formed group - Not In My Name'. In fact, it was their second protest meeting - the first one was held on June 28 to condemn the killing of teenager Junaid Khan in Ballabhgarh, Haryana.

However, on both the occasions, Not In My Name largely disappointed those who were longing for an unbiased and a secular group, in the true sense of the term, to come on the horizon the country's activism. The group is clearly biased in favour of a minority section of the society and is tilted heavily against the mainstream population.

KASHMIRI SEPARATISTS' APOLOGISTS?

Yesterday, the #NotInMyName campaign held a vigil at Jantar Mantar to mourn, what it called, the "death" of Amarnath pilgrims. They could have used the word "killing" or "murder". Instead they used the word death, which is generally used for death also of people in landslides and other natural calamities.

The group had published a letter to call the meeting to mourn the "death" of the Amarnath pilgrims. The letter had glaring biases and acts of omission and commission. It appeared to have been written by the apologists of the Kashmiri separatists.

For instance, it nowhere used the words "terrorists" or "terrorism" to describe the incident. Instead, it wrote "attackers", "elements" and "political violence".

Secondly, while talking about the Amarnath pilgrimage victims, it did not forget to mention the Kashmir violence but from the point of view of the separatists. Without mentioning the stonepelters, it broached the issue of those injured by pellets in the firing by the security forces.

EXCLUSIVE MUSLIM AGENDA

However, for anyone who has read the profile of Not In My Name, the outlook of the fledgling pressure group would not appear awkward. It is especially meant for the protesting the recent spate of "targeted lynchings of Muslims in India".

No wonder, the group was formed to protest the killing of Junaid in a suburban train on June 23. The group has accused the Narendra Modi government of maintaining a "brazen silence". Though it appeals to hold protests for incidents of lynching only of Muslims, it is called a "citizens' protest open to all".

Even the June 28 protest at the same venue had its share of controversies. It did not mention the incidents of lynching of Hindus in states like Jharkhand, Kerala and Karnataka. It did not also mention the violence by Muslims in the states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Though the group is meant for protesting the incidents of lynching of Muslims, it fails to mention the names of Lt Umer Fayaz and DSP Mohammed Ayub Pandith who were lynched in Shopian and Srinagar respectively.

The map itself of "Lynchistan" was provocative. It omitted states like Kerala and Karnataka where such crimes have taken place.

At best, the Not In My Name appears to be return of the 'award wapsi gang' which had returned the awards and certificates in the wake of killings of individuals allegedly over eating or carrying beef. They protested the alleged "intolerance" of the government agencies.

But soon the campaign lost steam and was even ridiculed by rival groups. Not In My Name appears to be heading towards a same fate.

FACEBOOK PROFILE NOT IN MY NAME

Not In My Name is a citizens protest against the recent spate of targeted lynchings of Muslims in India - the most recent of 16 year old Junaid, stabbed to death on a suburban train on 23 June 2017 in Delhi (NCR).

These attacks on Muslims are part of a pattern of systemic violence against Dalits, Adivasis, and other disadvantaged and minority groups across the country. Through all these heinous crimes the Government has maintained a brazen silence, a gesture that is being read as the acquiescence of Indians.

As citizens let's get together and through music and poetry assert that the killings and the hatred being unleashed - Is Not In Our Name. If not now then when? Right to Life and Equality is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of India. It is time we the citizens of India reclaim and protect our Constitution.

Please carry banners with the slogan - NOT IN MY NAME

This is a citizens protest open to all. Everyone is welcome but without party or organisational banners.

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#NotInMyName: Nationwide protest against Lynchistan India, cities abroad to follow