Cow Vigilantism: CJI says 'general' directions in 2018 hate crime judgment may be 'unmanageable'

Why in news

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticized the 'unmanageable' nature of general directions in the 2018 hate crime judgment, advocating for a case-specific approach to cow vigilantism.

Background

The Supreme Court refused to entertain contempt petitions regarding cow vigilantism. The court referred to the 2018 Tehseen Poonawalla judgment which addressed mob violence fueled by fake news.

Facts for Prelims

• PostSurya Kant: Chief Justice of India
• Fact2018 Tehseen Poonawalla judgment: Supreme Court ruling criticizing mob violence fueled by fake news
• BodySupreme Court: Primary judicial body for addressing rights infringements and contempt of court

For Mains

Q. Discuss the challenges in curbing mob violence and vigilantism in India while balancing the protection of individual rights and the rule of law.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Judicial bottleneck: Difficulty in enforcing 'general' directions against decentralized mob actions
• Information integrity: Role of fake news in inciting communal violence and vigilantism
• Legal recourse: Shift towards individualistic litigation in local courts for rights infringement

Keywords: Rule of Law · Mob Violence · Judicial Activism · Individual Rights · Public Order

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