Riots are violent expressions of public discontent, typically involving a group of people who are protesting a particular cause or situation. Riots can involve rioters damaging property, setting fires, looting, and even attacking individuals.
Riots can lead to tremendous destruction of property and people, resulting in devastating economic losses. The disruption of peace and tranquility can lead to increased tensions between different social and political groups, causing further unrest and violence. Additionally, the disruption of public services such as transportation and utilities can cause immense disruption to everyday life. In extreme cases, riots can even lead to the breakdown of civil society, with political systems and norms becoming destabilized.
Rioting is usually caused by a range of social and economic factors, rather than religion. These factors can include poverty, inequality, political repression, and frustration with the status quo. When individuals or groups feel that their social or economic needs are not being met, it can lead to unrest and, in some cases, rioting.
Riots do sometimes occur because of political events or unrest. They can be caused by a lack of representation of certain political views, economic disparities, or perceived injustice. One example of a political riot from the world is the Macau riots,1987 which happened when the Portuguese government decided to implement a new tax system. From India, one example of a political riot is the riots that occurred in Gujarat in 2002 when Hindu nationalists attacked Muslims in response to the Godhra train burning incident.
The real driving force behind most riots is often a combination of multiple factors, including political, social, and economic grievances. Religion can sometimes be one factor that contributes to a riot; however, it is important to recognize that this is not always the case.
- Arab Spring - This series of protests, uprisings, and civil wars began in 2010 in Tunisia and spread across the Arab world. The main reasons for the Arab Spring were economic inequality, corruption, lack of civil liberties, and oppressive governments.
- Black Lives Matter Protests,2020 - This series of protests began in the United States after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protesters are calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism.
- Hong Kong Protests - This series of protests began in 2019 in response to an extradition bill proposed by the Chinese government. The protests have focused on the erosion of civil liberties and political freedoms in Hong Kong.
- Yellow Vest Protests - This series of protests began in France in 2018 in opposition to a fuel tax. The protests grew to encompass a wide range of economic and political grievances.
- The French Revolution (1789): The dissatisfaction of the French people with the absolute monarchy and the severe inequality between the classes led to a revolution.
- The March on Washington (1963): A march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in support of civil rights for African Americans.
- The Stonewall Riots (1969): A spontaneous protest by members of the LGBTQ community against police brutality and harassment.
- The Los Angeles Riots (1992): A response to the acquittal of the officers who were responsible for the beating of Rodney King.
- The Seattle WTO protests (1999): A protest against the World Trade Organization and its policies.
- The London Riots (2011): A response to the police shooting of Mark Duggan and the perceived lack of accountability.
- The Ferguson Riots (2014): A response to the police shooting of Michael Brown and the perceived lack of accountability.
- The Baltimore Riots (2015): A response to the death of Freddie Gray in police custody and the perceived lack of accountability.
- The Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally (2017): A rally by white supremacists and other far-right groups to protest the removal of a Confederate monument.
Indian history is full of a variety of riots and disturbances, including armed rebellions, communal clashes, labor strikes, and student protests. Major examples include the Sepoy Mutiny, 1957, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, the Partition Riots of 1947, and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.
The most recent communal riots in India took place in Delhi from 23rd February to 1st March. The cause of the riots was a disagreement between the Muslim and Hindu communities over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The CAA grants citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh while the NRC is an attempt to identify illegal immigrants.
The most common conclusion drawn from communal riots in India is that they are the result of rising religious tensions between different groups, often caused by perceived injustices, socio-economic disparities, and political machinations. Other factors, such as a history of violence, poverty, and discrimination, can also play a role in triggering communal violence.
Written by Ekta Sachan
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