Don’t cross the line
The SC’s intervention on cow vigilantes will hopefully see a decline in the activities of these groups
Opposition to vigilante groups enforcing their own brand of justice in the issue of cow protection has come from many quarters, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But given that they do not seem to heed this and are going about their business of harassing people on the mere suspicion that they are cattle rustlers or are in possession of beef, the Supreme Court has now stepped in. It has agreed to hear a plea challenging certain laws that give protection to these groups in the country. A PIL also sought the removal of content on the Internet that is used as propaganda by such groups and which is allegedly inciting citizens. The plea also asks for adequate compensation for victims who have been attacked by vigilante groups.
Several states have animal protection laws. For example the Maharashtra Animal Protection Act, 1956, prohibits any legal action against persons for actions done in good faith under the law. Other states which have cow protection laws permit officials to search and seize if they suspect that there has been a violation. The Supreme Court has, in 2011, directed the government to ensure that such vigilante groups are disbanded. There are over 200 cow protection groups in the National Capital Region alone. Several people have been killed by vigilante groups, the most talked about being the case of Mohammed Iklaq who was beaten to death on suspicion that the meat in his fridge was beef.
In many cases of harassment, especially of Dalits and Muslims, it was found that there was no basis for the allegations of the groups. The law cannot give protection to any vigilante group. There are enough laws in states, which ban cow slaughter and it is up to the police to uphold them. These self-styled protectors should not be allowed to hide behind vague concepts like ‘good faith’ to harass people. This vigilantism has created a culture of fear among minorities who are engaged in the disposal of cow carcasses or who work in tanneries. This has also tarnished India’s image internationally. They have no business doing any of this. This has to be left to the police. The Supreme Court’s intervention will hopefully see a decline in the activities of these groups who seem to have become a law unto themselves.