Govt tells apex court it does not back cow vigilantism
SOLICITOR GENERAL RANJIT KUMAR SAID LAW AND ORDER WAS A STATE SUBJECT AND IT WAS UP TO THEM TO CURB SUCH INCIDENTS
NEWDELHI: The government does not support cow vigilantism and it was for the states to crack down on such self-styled groups, the country’s top law officer told the Supreme Court on Friday.
Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, said law and order was a state subject and it was up to them to curb such incidents.
The government’s response was to a petition filed by social activist Tehseen Poonawala seeking direction to the Centre and some states to take action against so-called gau rakshaks who profess to protect cows, an animal considered sacred by a section of Hindus. It came weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a spate of vio- lence across India linked to the cow, saying killing in the name of cow worship was not acceptable.
“You say that law and order is a state subject and states are taking actions as per law. You don’t protect any kind of vigilantism,” a bench headed by justice Dipak Misra said. It also sought the assistance of the Centre and states for removing violent content related to cow vigilantism uploaded on social media.
Counsels appearing for BJP-ruled Gujarat and Jharkhand informed the court that appropriate action has been taken against those involved in violent activities related to cow vigilantism. The bench recorded their submission and asked the Centre and other states to file their report regarding to the violent incidents in four weeks time and posted the matter for further hearing on September 6.
The apex court had on April 7 sought the response of six states on the plea, filed on October 21 last year, seeking action against cow vigilantes who were allegedly indulging in violence and committing atrocities against Dalits and minorities.
Poonawala said violence committed by gau rakshaks have reached such proportions that even Modi had declared them as people who were “destroying the society”.