RantCrush Top 5: June 29, 2017

On May 23, a young Muslim boy was stabbed to death by a mob on a train leaving New Delhi. Four men, including one government employee, have been arrested, although one suspect is still at large. Another government employee allegedly shouted “beef-eater” and “anti-national” while 16-year-old Junaid Khan was killed. The mob accused Khan, his brother, and two friends on the train of carrying or eating beef. Killing or eating cows is forbidden in Hinduism. Yesterday, huge crowds of people took to the streets in several cities to protest the lynching, using the slogan “Not in my name” and holdings signs saying “No Place for Islamophobia.”

At the #NotInMyName citizens rally in my home town. This poster says it best. pic.twitter.com/6ZKgcdIHKS

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) June 28, 2017

Several politicians took part in the demonstrations. A former education and culture minister of Kerala said that extreme Hindus are behind the lynchings, as they believe the country was made for Hindus and that other religions should not be accepted. Many Muslim Indians have faced harassment and discrimination recently. Similar protests are planned in London, Toronto, and Boston today.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.