The Government on Tuesday said it will take strict action against those who indulge in violence to protect cows from slaughtering.
“In States where slaughtering of cows is prohibited by law, such slaughtering would be in violation of law, and an offence. However, that does not entitle any individual or group of persons to take action on their own to prevent the alleged slaughter or punish the alleged wrongdoers,” said an advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This comes a after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on cow vigilantes for creating nuisance and resort to violent methods to stop cow slaughter.
The advisory also said that the Directive Principles of State Policy provide for the preservation of cows. It noted that Section 39 of the Cr.PC requires that any person aware of the commission of certain offences or intention thereof, is required to give information to the nearest Magistrate or police officer of such commission or intention.
“Therefore, if an offence is committed, or about to be committed, such an offence, or possibility of offence is required to be brought to the notice of the concerned police authorities or magistrate for appropriate action as per law. No person can, under any circumstances, take the law into their own hands,” it stated.
The MHA added that any person, who would be found taking law in their hands, will be given “strictest punishment” under the relevant laws.
The Ministry also directed the states to ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hands is dealt with promptly, and punished as per law.
“There should be no tolerance at all for such persons and full majesty of law must come to bear on them, without exception,” it added.