Court order puts Uttar Pradesh government in the dock

Newstrack
Published on: 14 July 2016 1:20 PM GMT
Court order puts Uttar Pradesh government in the dock
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Lucknow: The order of the chief judicial magistrate to institute a case against Akhlaq family in Bishada in Gautambudh Nagar district has caused much embarrassment to the Akhilesh Yadav government. On the other hand, it has given a new stick to the rival Bhartiya Janata Party to beat the government with.

Known largely as Dadri lynching case, it will be a debating point not only in Uttar Pradesh but also other parts of the country. The reason is that it was only after this incident that the intolerance issue had come up which was subsequently joined by some film personalities including Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan.

Since the announcement that the family had killed a calf and stored the calf meat in the house was made from the loudspeaker of a temple, some ruling party members linked some Hindu leaders in the killing.The incident acquired a political colour and became a 'pilgrim centre 'for journalist and non-journalists.

The government will find it difficult now to defend itself as all though it has maintained that the family head, Akhlaq, who was killed by the enraged mob was outrageous and that the family had not stored cow but a goat meet. It had made ex-gratia payments to the family members and promised all kinds of help to them.

Not satisfied by these actions, the government had provided residential flats to the family. The reason was partly political, for, Muslims account for a sizeable vote in the western part of the state of which the Dadri area is a part. With the court’s order it has lost at least some votes.

That the government acted in a haste is clear from the fact that it did not wait for forensic report and provided help believing that unofficial reports are fully biased. It also depended heavily on the veterinary hospital report which had called the flesh sample collected by the police and sent to it as that a goat.

In such cases forensic reports are more reliable. But the government either deliberately or otherwise depended on this report. So much so that it even refused to recommend a CBI inquiry into the case, saying it is an open and shut case in favour of the Muslim family.

Whatever may finally happen in this case at present the government is on the back foot. The timing of the order is also notice able. Such an order at an election time will go against its political interest.

Also read:

Dadri Lynching: CJM orders case against Akhlaq’s family

Sheila CM face in UP, Congress declares its ‘Team Mission 2017’

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