Digital vigilantism: A symptom of systemic apathy in justice delivery, not the problem
The Delhi High Court's observations on "digital vigilantism" highlight the growing use of social media to amplify harassment claims due to a lack of faith in formal justice systems. Authored by Prachi Dutta, the article argues that social media acts as a "crowd source" for retributive action when institutional inaction prevails. It critiques the term "digital vigilantism," stating that social media posts in such contexts don't fit the definition of vigilantism, which implies an established order under threat and assurance of security. Instead, it's a consequence of systemic apathy and delayed justice, where victims resort to social media to bridge the gap between harassment and redress mechanisms.
Key Points
- The Delhi High Court has made observations regarding "digital vigilantism" in the context of public shaming via social media.
- Social media is increasingly used by victims to amplify harassment claims due to the perceived failure of formal justice systems.
- The article argues that "digital vigilantism" is a misnomer, as these actions arise from a collective failure of processes rather than a threat to an established order.
- Systemic apathy, long-drawn processes, and victim-blaming in justice systems force victims to seek redress through social media.
- Strengthening formal justice processes and restoring faith in them is crucial to reduce reliance on social media for justice.
Exam Facts
- The Delhi High Court made observations on "digital vigilantism" in a defamation suit related to a domestic flight incident.
- Prachi Dutta is a corporate lawyer and Adjunct Professor at Jindal Global Law School and Shiv Nadar University.
- Les Johnston defines "vigilantism" as premeditated actions by private citizens, voluntarily engaging with an issue.
- An example cited is the November 2022 incident where a man urinated on a woman on an airline, with action taken only after public exposure.
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