On Friday, the Supreme Court responded to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the National Federation of Indian Women, addressing the concerning issue of increasing incidents of cow vigilantism and mob lynching against Muslims in the country. The PIL sought compensation for victims in six reported cases of the past two months and raised alarm about the violence perpetrated by cow vigilantes, despite the guidelines issued by the apex court in the 2018 Tehseen Poonawala case aimed at preventing and curbing such crimes.
Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala formed a bench and issued notices to the Centre and police chiefs of six states, namely Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The petitioner’s counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, argued that seeking relief from high courts might not provide adequate recourse, especially considering the long delays in granting compensation.
The PIL presented six cases from different states, highlighting the plight of Muslim women left behind after their male family members were lynched and killed. The petition urged the court to ensure a “minimum uniform amount” of compensation for the victims, part of which should be paid upfront to assist victim families in their immediate needs. The bench acknowledged that the question of approaching high courts was preemptively answered by Sibal, as the court had previously advised him to do so in a similar case. The petition drafted by advocate Rashmi Singh expressed concern over the alarming surge in mob violence incidents against the Muslim community.
It cited six instances, including brutal assaults and killings in Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan. The Tehseen Poonawala judgment was referenced, emphasizing the state’s duty to protect fundamental rights and foster a pluralistic and multicultural society. The PIL emphasized that the state authorities have failed in their duty to address this menace effectively. The rising communal hate and division in society, fueled by hate speeches at public events, social media, news channels, and films, were identified as the root cause of these crimes.
The Poonawala judgment’s stance against vigilante groups involved in mob lynching was highlighted, stressing the state’s obligation to protect citizens from such unruly elements. In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s issuance of notices to the Centre and the six states signals a significant step towards addressing the serious issue of cow vigilantism and mob lynching targeting Muslims. The PIL’s demand for compensation and immediate action to curb such violence highlights the urgency of the matter and calls for concerted efforts to foster harmony and safeguard the rights of all individuals in a diverse nation.