The Uttar Pradesh and Union governments accused of ignoring the Supreme Court’s anti-lynching directives and fostering a culture of impunity for vigilante groups
NEW DELHI – Reacting to the Allahabad High Court recent judgment condemning mob violence and cow vigilantism, Maulana Mahmood Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, said it was a much-needed stand for justice and rule of law.
He demanded that both the Union and Uttar Pradesh governments act with constitutional sensitivity and a sense of responsibility.
Calling out the failure of law enforcement agencies to protect victims and enforce constitutional rights, he criticised both the Uttar Pradesh and Union governments for ignoring the Supreme Court’s anti-lynching directives and fostering a culture of impunity for vigilante groups.
Maulana Madani called the misuse of cow protection laws a threat to democracy and urged immediate and full implementation of the Supreme Court guidelines, along with an end to the harassment of innocent citizens under the guise of cow protection.
The high court, while quashing an FIR filed by the Pratapgarh Police in an alleged case of cow slaughter, observed that mob violence has now become order of the day, reflecting the failure of the rule of law. It further noted that instead of protecting victims, the police have been registering false cases against victims, thereby promoting anarchy and deepening social divisions.
The Jamiat chief stated that his organisation has been consistently raising voice against lawlessness in the name of cow protection and the targeting of innocent people. He recalled that Jamiat had filed a petition in the Supreme Court which issued binding directions to all governments to curb mob lynching and cow vigilantism on the line of Tehseen S Poonawalla vs Union of India (2018) judgment. However, the continued inaction of state authorities, he said, has emboldened vigilante groups and encouraged a culture of impunity.
“Nothing is more dangerous to a democratic nation than state-sponsored communalism. It undermines the very foundation of our Constitution and erodes public faith in justice and equality,” he remarked.
Referring to the high court’s detailed observations, he noted that the court reiterated the guidelines, including:
appointment of District Nodal Officers, formation of Special Task Forces, establishment of fast-track courts for lynching cases, and disciplinary action against errant officials.
It gave the government three weeks to explain its non-compliance.
He called for the immediate and full implementation of the Tehseen Poonawala guidelines, strict legal action against cow vigilantes, and an end to the harassment and criminalisation of innocent citizens.
