9. Creating an atmosphere of violence

Mass movements often end in violence. The anti-Heehs movement has not reached this point, though it is clear that the leaders have pushed the masses in this direction. Several members on the SAICE forum, incited by Ananda Reddy and others, have posted threats against Heehs. Others have threatened him over the telephone. There have also been small but significant acts of violence: Heehs’s bicycle tire was slashed while he was in the swimming pool, and his door was kicked in by a mentally unstable person. This person is known to have been enflamed by literature provided by Ranade’s mother.

Those who create such an atmosphere often claim that they never directly incited or encouraged violence. But in this case, the leaders bear direct responsibility, when they repeatedly characterize Heehs as “demonic,” as an “asura,” “cunning,” “stealthy,” speaking of “real danger,” and then engage in repeated calls for “action.” When a highly emotional campaign is waged against a single person, using religious and absolutist language, and rousing hundreds of people against him, physical violence is a natural outcome.