AMN
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre and States not to protect any kind of vigilantism. It sought their response on violent incidents of cow vigilantism in the country.
A three judge bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra was informed by the Centre that law and order is a state subject but it does not support any kind of vigilantism in the country. The bench also sought the assistance of the Centre and States for removing violent content related to cow vigilantism uploaded on social media.
Counsel 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 in the matter in four weeks and. Further hearing of the case will be on 6th of September.
The Centre informed the apex court that it was not supporting the violence by the vigilante Gau Rakshak groups in the name of Cow protection and is taking action in these cases of violence.
Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the bench of Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar that “we don’t support the violence in the name of Gau Raksha”.
However, Centre today sought to wash off its hands in the matter and shifted the burden on the States as it told him court that maintenance of law and order was in the domain of the State governments.
As a number of States that have been made respondents in the matter have not filed their response. For court adjourned the matter giving them four weeks time to do so.