Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked state governments to take strong action against cow vigilantes who indulge in violence, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
The written reply of Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir came in response to Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan’s question on whether the government has taken cognisance of the statements made by the prime minister on August 6, 2016, June 30 and July 16, 2017.
Prime Minister has stated that State Governments must deal sternly against anti-social elements that create violence in the name of cow protection. Even though, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and State Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies, Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories to the States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law.
State Governments and UT Administrations have been advised to keep watch for early detection of such trends having potential for violence, and take all required measures to counter them effectively and to deal firmly with persons taking law into their own hands.