Cow Vigilantism: SC tells Modi government to bring in new law to tackle 'Mobocracy'

Taking strong exception to the incident of mob lynching in the name of cow vigilantism, the Supreme Court on Monday said that the "horrendous acts of mobocracy" should be dealt with iron hands and urged the Narendra Modi government to bring a new law to deal with such offenses.

"Horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be allowed to become the new norm and has to be curbed with iron hands. Parliament must see whether a new law can be made to deal with offence of mob lynching to punish such offenders," a bench of the apex court said.

Hearing a petition by Congress leader and activist Tehseen Poonawala, the bench said that it was the duty of states to ensure inclusive social order and act positively in case of fear and anarchy.

"No citizen can take law into their own hands. In case of fear and anarchy, the state has to act positively. Violence can't be allowed," the apex court said.

Violence by vigilante groups/cow vigilantism: Supreme Court says, "no citizen can take law into their own hands. In case of fear and anarchy, the state has to act positively. Violence can't be allowed." pic.twitter.com/ryE18JbTCP

— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2018

While talking to reporters outside the SC premises, Poonawala said that the apex court had made it clear that it was the responsibility of states to act against the offenders.

"Supreme Court has said that it is the duty of the states to ensure inclusive social order, no mobocracy can be allowed," said Poonawalla.