Cow vigilantism

Cow vigilantism: Are words enough?

The other day our honorable Prime Minister ended his silence on the matter and came out strong against those who spread violence in the name of cow protection.

It has been reported that such instances have increased of late because those involved in cow vigilantism often have affiliations with the party in power. Added to that is the ideological battle. No doubt cow is revered in our scriptures and death of any living organism be it a cow or a human is deplorable. But there is a deeper malaise involved here. Fringe elements by taking law into their own hands erode the legitimacy of the state. It has been alleged that police is often complicit in the acts of violence. Thus the morale and the independence of the police is also in question here.

There have been instances when young adults belonging to minority groups have been deliberately targeted to settle personal scores. A ban on cattle trade for slaughter across states have not helped the cause either.

Indeed law and order is a state subject. However it cannot be denied that much more is expected of a government who has a considerable majority in the Parliament. The way forward is to implement the directives laid down by the SC in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case for bringing in police reforms. Shielding the investigation from the politics of the day will certainly help the cause. It is not the degree but the certainty of punishment which deters such hate crimes and mob violence.