New Delhi: The Jharkhand government has proposed a new anti-lynching law that is likely to be introduced in the winter session of the state legislature. According to the draft Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021, it is aimed at providing “effective protection” of constitutional rights and prevention of mob violence, the Indian Express reported.
The draft law includes provisions like registering an FIR for disseminating “explosive and irresponsible” content, providing free medical care to victims and punishment for creating a “hostile environment” for victims or witnesses. It also sets out a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25 lakh for anyone found guilty of lynching or its abetment, Times of India reported.
“…where the act leads to the death of the victim, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for life and with fine which shall not be less than Rs 25 lakh, and the movable and immovable properties shall be attached… For people found guilty of conspiracy or abetment, the draft say that the punishment will be same as ‘lynching’,” Indian Express quotes the draft Bill as saying.
If the law is passed, Jharkhand will become the third Indian state – after West Bengal and Rajasthan – to have a dedicated anti-lynching law. Since the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal coalition has 49 of the 81 seats in the state assembly, the law is likely to be passed after being introduced.
“In our manifesto for the 2019 assembly polls, we had promised to bring about strict laws to prevent mob lynching in the state. Through this bill, we intend to fulfil our promise,” Jharkhand Mukti Morcha general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told the Times of India.
Mob lynching became a serious issue of discussion in Jharkhand after the 2019 killing of a young Muslim man, Tabrez Ansari. He was reportedly beaten up by a mob which forced him to chant “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hanuman”
This story first appeared on thewire.in