Day 3 Arguments

July 21st 2017

Today, the counsel for petitioner Mr. Poonawalla asked the Court to issue a writ of mandamus commanding the State Government to take immediate and necessary action against the ‘cow protection groups’ indulging in violence. The counsel asked the Court to issue a direction to remove violent content from social media uploaded and hosted by these ‘cow protection groups’.

Mr. Ranjit Singh, Solicitor General, responded that ‘law and order’ is a State subject, so the Centre could not be blamed for incidents of violence. He emphasized that the Union did not support the activities of cow vigilantes. Ms. Hemantika Wahi, Standing Counsel for Gujarat echoed the sentiments expressed by the Solicitor General and stated that Gujarat didn’t support the activities of any cow protection groups. She added that the Una flogging incident, referred to in the petition was being investigated by the police authorities and the perpetrators would not be spared.

After listening to the arguments the Court asked the Solicitor General and the counsels appearing for various States to assist the court in curtailing the activities of the vigilantes and suggest ways to work out the same.

The matter was listed to be heard on September 6th 2017.