Cow Vigilantism: Law And Order Is A State Subject, We Don’t Have Any Role, Centre Tells SC

The government on Friday told the Supreme Court that cow vigilantism was a state subject and that the Centre has no role to play in it, adding that it does not support vigilantism in the name of cow protection.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the apex court that the issue is a state subject as it is related to law and order. He also informed that appropriate action has been taken by the states against those involved in violent activities related to cow vigilantism.

"Law and order is a state subject and Central government does not have any role into it. However, Union of India is of the view that no vigilante group has any space in the country as per procedures of law. It does not support any kind of vigilantism by private persons," Kumar said on Centre’s behalf.

Tehseen Poonawalla, an activist associated with the Congress, had drawn court’s attention to violence committed by these gau rakshas. In a plea, Poonawalla had said that these groups were committing atrocities against Dalits and minority communities in the name of protecting cows. The court had sought responses from the Centre and six states on the issue within three weeks in April.