Mob Violence in Kerala: Unpacking the Complexities of Collective Aggression

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The Supreme Court, in the Tehseen Poonawalla case (2018), indeed issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to combat mob lynching, calling it a 'horrendous act of mobocracy'. Statement 2 is also correct. Among the guidelines, the SC directed states to appoint a Nodal Officer (not below the rank of Superintendent of Police) in each district to prevent mob lynching. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, primarily deals with the regulation of employment and conditions of service of inter-state migrant workmen. It does not specifically define 'mob lynching' as a criminal offense. Criminal offenses like lynching are typically covered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provisions related to murder, assault, unlawful assembly, etc., although there is no specific IPC section for 'mob lynching' as such. Some states have introduced specific laws against lynching, but it's not part of the 1979 Act.

Answer: D

All four statements are directly relevant. Article 19(1)(d) and (e) guarantee the freedom of movement and residence, which are fundamental for migrant workers to seek employment across states. Article 21 ensures the protection of life and personal liberty, which is paramount for their safety and dignity, especially in the face of violence. Article 39(a), a Directive Principle of State Policy, guides the state to ensure adequate means of livelihood for all citizens, which is the primary motivation for inter-state migration. While DPSPs are not directly enforceable, they are fundamental in the governance of the country and guide legislative and executive actions for worker welfare.

Answer: D

All three statements correctly describe key psychological dynamics observed in mob violence. Deindividuation (Statement 1) explains why individuals might engage in behaviors they wouldn't normally, due to anonymity and reduced self-awareness within a crowd. Diffusion of responsibility (Statement 2) explains the reduced sense of personal accountability. Group polarization (Statement 3) explains how initial aggressive tendencies can be amplified within a group, leading to more extreme violent acts. These concepts are crucial for understanding the 'psychological dynamics of mob mentality' mentioned in the article.

Answer: D

Options A, B, and C are all widely recommended measures to curb mob violence. Enhancing police accountability and training (A) improves law enforcement response. Community policing (B) fosters trust and intelligence gathering. Swift and exemplary punishment (C) ensures deterrence and reinforces the rule of law. Option D, 'Restricting inter-state migration', is NOT a recommended measure. It would violate fundamental rights like freedom of movement and residence (Article 19(1)(d) and (e)), hinder economic development, and is an unconstitutional and impractical approach to address the issue of mob violence, which stems from deeper societal issues like xenophobia and breakdown of law and order, not merely migration itself.

Answer: A

I. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees 'Equality before law and equal protection of laws' (Match with 3). This is fundamental for protecting migrant workers from discrimination. II. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, aims at 'Welfare measures and registration for migrant laborers' (Match with 4), ensuring their basic rights and working conditions. III. The 'Principle of Due Process of Law' ensures 'Protection against arbitrary state action and ensuring fair procedure' (Match with 1), which is crucial for upholding the rule of law against mob justice. IV. Article 256 of the Constitution states that 'The executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose' (Match with 2). This highlights the Centre's role in ensuring states uphold law and order, especially in cases of widespread violence.