Sociology of Killing A Qualitative Study of Mob Lynching in Pakistan

Abstract

Mob induced violence of lynching is on the rampage in Pakistan. The frequency and intensity of this violent act is a social problem that needs better researched solutions. This research aims at understanding the problem through its social context that is Pakistan. Specifically, it targets the particular social sectors that are triggers of this certain form of violence. In this context, it is assumed that the problem is not separate from the social setting of its origin. To cater to this need, the main research question of the thesis is: how the phenomenon of mob lynching is socially constructed in Pakistan? To find answer to this question, data from both primary and secondary sources were generated. The primary data came through interviews of respondents who had been categorized into seven groups according to their occupation and social activities. Primary data also came through some non-participants observations. The secondary data were acquired using archival study of a daily national newspaper covering last ten years from 2008-2017. The results were analysed to find out some patterns of mob lynching in the country, which appeared to be religious, gender and development in nature. These three types of mob lynching in Pakistan needed further explanation for their specific nature. To do so, these three social spheres- religion, gender, development- were further studied to understand their peculiarities in the context of Pakistan. A socio-historical study of these three social locations with the help of theoretical lens proved that the problem is an instance of social scapegoating process. It was transpired that the society in question is suffering from a solidarity crisis, which it tries to remove through the use of mob induced violence of lynching as scapegoating of the religious, gender and development minorities. Religious minorities, women and the poor are marginalized; and, their individual members become victim to the act of majority’s violence. Country’s poor law and order situation and a dilapidating justice system find it too weak and backward to contain the problem in its breadth and width; which, otherwise, is its ultimate solution.