Shorts
In Haryana, 24-hour helpline for cows, no action against vigilantes?
Haryana-vasis can now dial 8284030455 to report incidents of cow smuggling and slaughter. According to this Indian Express report, complaints received on the 24-hour helpline will be forwarded to police officials, who will depute special teams to investigate the allegations. Additionally, barricades would be put in place to control cow smuggling, Haryana DGP KP Singh was quoted as saying.
The development comes days after volunteers of a vigilante organisation forced two alleged beef smugglers to eat cow dung. Gau Raksha Dal (Cow Protection Group) has been in the news for delivering vigilante justice to alleged cow smugglers across Haryana and Punjab before handing them over to the cops. It is also notorious for posting videos of its attacks online.
In 2015, the state Assembly unanimously passed the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, making cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years, and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. And if the state education minister’s statement that violence by these groups are a result of awakening of “cow lovers” is any indication to go by, these groups have the full support of the Haryana government.
As Haryana police enthusiastically devotes itself to protecting holy cows without curbing vigilante groups, it would do well to remind itself of its role during the Jat stir in February. The Prakash Singh committee found that police officers displayed “cowardice” and “inaction”. Food for thought?
Also Read
-
TV Newsance 308: Godi media dumps Trump, return of Media Maulana
-
Trump’s tariff bullying: Why India must stand its ground
-
How the SIT proved Prajwal Revanna’s guilt: A breakdown of the case
-
Exclusive: India’s e-waste mirage, ‘crores in corporate fraud’ amid govt lapses, public suffering
-
South Central 38: Kerala nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh, TCS layoffs