"Cow vigilantes were at risk": Karnataka minister's shocker on new bill
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Bengaluru:
"Earlier, life was at risk for vigilantes... not those who were in the (cattle) trade," CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka told NDTV, in response to concerns that the state's new anti-cow slaughter bill will protect and embolden 'Gau Rakshaks'.
Karnataka's BJP government passed the stringent Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 on Wednesday amid protests in the assembly. Cow slaughter is already banned in the state since the 1960s. The bill expands the definition of "cattle" to include bulls and buffaloes under 13 years of age and hardens the punishment for people involved in any form of cattle slaughter.
Section 17 of the bill shields from legal action "persons acting in good faith". Although it is unclear whether the section can be applied to cow vigilantes, Mr Narayan said that the bill was framed with them mind. "Vigilantes or anyone who is working for a cause and the law of the land should definitely have a scope to work in this provision," he said.
Since 2015, there have been 115 incidents of cattle-related mob violence across the country in which 46 people died and 146 were injured, none of whom were from among the vigilante attackers, according to data compiled by NDTV.
But Mr Narayan said "in Karnataka, it is only the cow vigilantes who have lost their lives".
The minister claimed that the vigilantes in Karnataka were putting themselves at great risk. "People in the (cattle) trade were completely armed. They were taking lives and killing people. It is not the vigilantes,: he said, citing data that is not available in the public domain.
According to the statement of objects and reasons in the bill, the state government wants to ensure the "preservation and improvement of breeds of cattle" and "organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry". Mr Narayan, however, emphasised the cultural importance of the cow.
"We need to protect and promote our culture. That is the main reason for us to... come out with a law. Not with any agenda. We are already in power," he said.
Courtesy: www.ndtv.com
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NCW chief condemns rape-murder of 4-year-old girl in Pune, calls for swift action
New Delhi (PTI): National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Pune, calling it "deeply distressing" and a "blot on humanity".
The girl was allegedly raped and killed by a 65-year-old labourer, who has a criminal record, in Bhor tehsil of Pune on Friday. The accused allegedly lured the child to a cattle enclosure on the pretext of giving her food. After raping her, he killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to police.
The accused has been arrested.
In a post on X on Saturday, Rahatkar said the incident in the Nasrapur area in Pune was heartbreaking and has shaken society.
"The brutal torture and murder of a four-year-old innocent girl in Nasrapur (Bhor, Pune) is deeply painful, heartbreaking, and shocking. It is a blot on humanity," she said.
She said Pune Rural police has arrested the accused and noted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar have assured strict action in the case.
Rahatkar said the NCW has taken cognisance of the matter and written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requesting the body to ensure necessary and prompt action.
It has also been recommended that the case be pursued under stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and be closely monitored from the filing of the chargesheet to proceedings in a fast-track special court to ensure time-bound justice, she added.
Ensuring justice for the victim and stringent punishment for the accused is a collective responsibility, the NCW chairperson underlined.
In a post on X, the NCW said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the extremely "heinous" incident.
"This heinous crime causes profound pain and outrage, and it highlights serious concerns regarding the safety of young girls," it said.
Strongly condemning this grave "inhuman act", the NCW said such crimes constitute a serious violation of children's rights and raise questions about society's security system.
