The Supreme Court has over the past been observing the violence created by mobs that call themselves cow protection vigilantes. The SC questioned government and six states as to why there have been no ban on these mobs that have been creating communal disruptions.
The Centre and State Government of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharastra, and Jharkhand have been ordered by the bench of Justices Dipak Mishra, M.M. Shantanagoudhar, and A.M. Khanwilkar to respond to the PIL within three weeks that requests a ban on ‘gau rakshak dals.’ These groups, that are not bound by law, and have often assaulted alleged cow smugglers in these six states.
Referring to the incident wherein a 55 year old farmer Pehlu Khan, was killed by the cow vigilantes in Alwar Rajasthan the court sent these orders to the states. Sanjay Hegde, a senior advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioner. Referring to the Pehlu Khan incident, he asked the court to immediately look into the incident.
The advocate also alleged that the so called vigilantes have created communal disruptions and committing atrocities in the absence of action by the government. Hegde said, “The problem is not at the central level but on the ground in states as there are state laws which are giving protection to such groups. We cannot afford to have such incidents and the chief secretary of Rajasthan should be asked to file an affidavit on the incident.”
Tehseen Poonawalla, a Congress leader has filed the PIL, requesting the ban on such groups that create violence against innocent people.
