The Karnataka police must act with alacrity in bringing murderers to book

In Karnataka, the scourge of murders in which self-styled “cow vigilantes” attack cattle traders or transporters has returned. On Saturday, a right-wing activist and his associates allegedly tortured and killed a 39-year-old assistant driver of a cattle van. The incident must be viewed as one of many similar homicides that occur frequently across Indian States, primarily in the north. The vengeance of those committing the murders has been matched by the acuity of law enforcement agencies in implementing cattle slaughter laws to find a pretext for these acts while not bringing those responsible to justice. Examples include the lynching of two tribal men by alleged activists of the Bajrang Dal in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, the murder of Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan, who was transporting cattle, and Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Uttar This trend is exemplified by the fact that the murderers of Pehlu Khan were found not guilty because the police did not act quickly enough. The empowerment of these right-wing activists, who show little regard for human lives in contrast to their perceived religious beliefs regarding cow slaughter, has also contributed to the recurrence of these acts. The fact that these crimes frequently occur in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and are generally tolerated by its fellow travelers in the Sangh Parivar is another common factor.



The Resistance in Karnataka has properly looked to place the public authority in the dock and to feature how this could encourage mutual disharmony. Any delay by the Karnataka police in bringing the culprits to justice will indicate that this is a repeat of the wrongs done to Pehlu Khan and others. Even more so, the fact that these acts are carried out on a regular basis casts doubt on the outcome of recent case law regarding the slaughter of cattle. In particular, the 2005 decision by the Supreme Court, which prohibited the slaughter of cattle based on an expansive interpretation of the Directive Principles of state policy in addition to Articles 48, 48A, and 51(A) of the Constitution, is one instance of recent case law. This decision overturned a 1958 decision that had limited the ban to only “useful” cattle used in agriculture and animal husbandry. The interpretation of the judgment allowed for impudent behavior by so-called “vigilantes,” as well as the stigmatization of Dalits, Muslims, and tribals for their dietary practices and reliance on cattle products for a livelihood. Additionally, States, most of which were led by the BJP, passed stringent laws prohibiting cow slaughter. It is insufficient to merely condemn these acts; Once more, it is time for the judiciary to reconsider cow slaughter legislation.
Source: The Hindu