PM needs to be harsh on lynching

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks against cow vigilantism and his call to state governments to take action against “anti-social elements” that spread anarchy in the name of gauraksha do not go far enough to address the issue. The prime minister made his comments at an all-party meeting on the eve of the monsoon session of parliament. He has made public comments on the actions of cow vigilantes twice in the past one year but the words seemed to lack real concern and earnestness. The responses were late and in general terms. He never mentioned any specific case of lynching and attacks on persons, and did not name any names. He said the incidents were unacceptable, and this did not seem to be an unreserved condemnation. He also mentioned the high status of the cow in the country’s tradition and how important ‘gau raksha’ is. This, in fact, diluted the message and may have sent out mixed signals. The manner in which a comment is made is as important as what is said.

Modi told the state governments to deal strictly with the vigilantes. Law and order is a state subject and so the prime minister is technically correct in highlighting the states’ responsibility in the matter. But vigilantism is not a law and order issue. It is a political issue brought to the fore by Sangh Parivar organisations, including the BJP. As long as cow protection remains on the political agenda of these parties and groups, and is supported by the Centre and other BJP governments, the atrocities in its name will be difficult to control. Most of these attacks have taken place in BJP-ruled states. The governments there have been lax in taking action against the offenders. The police have not acted in time and effectively against the attackers and sometimes the victims were proceeded against. The prime minister evaded his responsibility by pointing to the states, but the Centre has not told any state of its failure to take action in any specific case.

The BJP governments have taken many extreme measures on beef-eating and cow slaughter. The Centre has supported them and taken its own steps. The environment created by them and the statements of some of the prime minister’s colleagues in the party and the government have made these attacks possible. The mobs that lynch people derive their power from these policies and attitudes and the sense of impunity that they give to them. The prime minister told opposition parties not to give lynchings a communal colour. He should not forget that the lynchings are communal actions directed against one community.