Mob lynching is a form of violence in which a mob, under the pretext of administering justice without trial, executes a presumed offender. Lynchings were violent public acts that white people used to terrorize and control Black people in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the South. Lynchings typically involved extreme brutality, such as torture, mutilation, decapitation, and desecration, and were often public spectacles attended by the white community in celebration of white supremacy. Lynchings were frequently committed with the most flagrant public display, and photos of victims, with exultant white observers posed next to them, were taken for distribution in newspapers or on postcards.

In India, mob lynching is a growing problem, with factors such as mob psychology, administrative failure, and the perception that culprits often go unpunished contributing to vigilantism. Mob lynching is a violation of human dignity, Article 21 of the Constitution, and a gross infringement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Lynchings are intended to instill fear and serve as warnings to others, creating a climate of fear in society, particularly for minority communities.

In summary, mob lynching is a violent act carried out by a group without due process of law, often involving extreme brutality and intended to terrorize and control a particular group of people.