Cow Vigilantism is Unacceptable and Not to be Linked with Religion: SC

Guwahati: The spurt of the disturbing events that have happened so far, even though in bits and pieces, in the name of “cow” and “religion” has actually tried to shake the very identity of India, i.e. “Unity in Diversity”. Favouring secular spirit, harmony, and order in the country, the Supreme Court has given a verdict, warning all against connecting mob’s violent acts with religion or caste, in addition to reserving its verdict on offering compensation to the victims.

Dipak Misra, Chief Justice of India, who headed a three-judge bench said, “Cow vigilantism is not acceptable and it's for the states to prevent such incidents” and calling "a victim is a victim". He has been a part of various historical judgments, including rejection of Yakub Memon’s last-minute mercy petition (convicted for Mumbai blasts in 1993 that cost 257 people’s lives) and making India’s national anthem mandatory before movies in theatres across India.

SC has called for relief from “Cow Vigilantism”, which has plagued the country’s stand. It has also allotted responsibility on this insane act of cow vigilantism, which (it observed) was in fact mob violence. Last year, Tushar Gandhi had filed a petition that called for action against cow vigilantism. Tehseen Poonawalla of Congress party had also filed a petition similar to Tushar’s. Last September, SC had instructed all the states and UTs to take necessary measures to stop violence in the name of cow protection and had asked for appointing officers specifically to keep an eye on such groups. Chief Justice Misra said, “Nobody can wash off their hands (from their duty)” while demanding compliance reports. To add to this, Indira Jaising said that the central government too has a role here, i.e. to frame a national policy on checking violence related to cow. As the centre channelized law and order to be a state subject, SC asked if under the Constitutional frame, it was liable for asking states to take stringent measures and enforce law and order on vigilantism.