Need to constantly talk, protest against lynchings: Sonal Mansingh

Noted danseuse Sonal Mansingh says protests against the lynchings in India should not be one-sided.

Sonal Mansingh, noted danseuse and one of the ‘navratnas’ in the Swach Bharat Abhiyan, regrets the dominant image abroad about lynchings in India but believes people should constantly talk about the phenomenon and protest against all such incidents.

Noted danseuse Sonal Mansingh is currently visiting the UK for a lecture and several workshops. (HT Photo)

Mansingh, here for a lecture and workshops, told Hindustan Times on Friday the recent lynchings were “wrong and horrible”, including that of deputy superintendent of police Mohammad Ayub Pandith in Srinagar.

“Lop-sided views are being thrown around. One has to constantly talk about such incidents and protest, but it should not be one-sided. It seems only the abominable lynchings are happening in India, nothing else,” she said.

“Not many abroad know that law and order is a state subject in India. It is not enough to blame the Centre. Anything is happening in the name of ‘gau raksha’, it is wrong, horrible. Events in West Bengal and Kerala are also a matter of similar concern,” Mansingh added.

According to Mansingh, much progress was being made in the Swach Bharat Abhiyan, particularly the increase in awareness in rural areas about cleanliness. Three aspects were crucial, she said - vichar (thought), vani (sound) and vyavahar (interaction) .

“There are slogans under the Narendra Modi government, but much work is also happening. If someone is doing good, we should say so. Also, talk about it if someone is not doing good,” she added.

A reception hosted for Mansingh by the Nehru Centre here was attended by Indian high commissioner YK Sinha and others. She said the centre “can do much better from where it stands today” to promote Indian culture among all ethnicities in the United Kingdom.

Mansingh is scheduled to bring her Natyakatha series of performances to Britain next year.