What is the issue?
- Rajasthan Assembly passed the Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 recently and made a law on mob lynching.
- Madhya Pradesh introduced a Bill that seeks to curb cow vigilantism.
- Uttar Pradesh has drafted the UP Combating of Mob Lynching Bill, 2019, and submitted it to its Chief Minister.
What is the difference?
- While the Rajasthan law and the UP draft are new, the proposed law in MP is an amendment to an existing act against cow slaughter.
- The amendments propose a jail term and a fine for those who attack or damage property of, people booked, or likely to be booked, for offences.
- The offences may be slaughter of cow progeny, possession of beef or transporting cow progeny for slaughter.
Why these moves are made?
- These moves follow the Supreme Court’s directions to Parliament to come up with a special law, in the wake of a series of lynching incidents.
- The Bench directed the Centre and states to carry out its directions within four weeks.
- The Centre had created a Group of Ministers and a high-level committee to deliberate and make recommendations for a separate penal provision for mob violence.
What is the Rajasthan Bill?
- The Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 makes mob lynching a cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence punishable with life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Defines lynching – Any act or series of acts of violence or aiding, abetting or attempting an act of violence, whether spontaneous or planned, by a mob.
- Mob on the grounds – Religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, language, dietary practices, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnicity”.
- Investigated by a police officer of the rank of inspector and above.
- The Bill also makes conspirators accountable.
What is the Madhya Pradesh Bill?
- It seeks to amend MP Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Act, 2004 and proposes a jail term of about 6 months to 1 year.
- When the same offence is committed by members of a mob, the jail term will be from 1 to 5 years.
- The Bill proposes a lower term for those who assist and for those who commit the crime.
- The punishment will double in case of those convicted for an offence they were previously convicted of.
- The minimum fine is Rs 5,000 and the maximum Rs 50,000.
- While the rules are yet to be formed, these will specify who issues the transit permit of cow progeny, which will be pasted on the vehicle.
- There is no provision in the 2004 legislation for issuing transit permit from other states.
Source: The Indian Express
