Several filmkakers ,artists and authors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take concrete measures to stop the mob violence and lynchings. Excerpts from the letter:

We as peace loving and proud Indians are deeply concerned about a number of tragic events that have been happening in recent times in our bel;oved country.

Our Constitution describes India as a secular, socialist, democratic Republic where citizens of all religions, ethnicities, gender and castes are equal. Hence, to ensure that every citizen ejoys the rights given to her/him by the Constitutionm, our submission is:

The lynching of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities must be stopped immediately. We were shocked to learn from the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) reports that there have been no less than 840 instances of atrocities against Dalits in the year 2016, and a definite decline in the percentage of convictions.

...You have criticised such lynchings in parliament Mr Prime Minister, but that is not enough. Wehat action has actually been taken against the perpetrators? We strongly feel that such offences should be declared non-bailable...If life imprisonment without parole can be the sentence in cases of murder, why not for lynchings which are even more heinous? No citizen should have to live in fear in his/her own country!

"Regrettably 'Jai Shri Ram' has become a provocative 'war-cry' today that leads to law and order problems, and many lynchings take place in its name. It is shocking that so much violence should be perpetrated in the name of religion! These are not the Middle Ages! The name of Ram is sacred to many in the majority community of India. As the highest Executive of this country, you must put a stop to the name of Ram being defiled in this manner.

There is no democracy without dissent. People should not be branded ‘anti-national’ or ‘urban Nazal’ and incarcerated because of dissent against the government …

Criticising the ruling party does not imply criticising the nation.No ruling party is synonymous with the country where it is in power. It is only one of the political parties of the country. Hence anti-government stands cannot be equated with anti-national sentiments. An open environment where dissent is not crushed, only makes for a stronger nation…..

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