If a Muslim Kills a Cow in Front of Hindus, is it an Offence? Law Exam Asks Students

In an evident attempt to stoke communal hatred against Muslims, law students of Delhi’s Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) appearing for their third-semester exam, were asked if it’s an offence if a Muslim kills a cow in front of Hindus.

“Ahmed, a Muslim kills a cow in a market in the presence of Rohit, Tushar, Manav and Rahul, who are Hindus. Has Ahmed committed any offence?” This was among the questions asked to the students in the Law of Crimes-I paper held on December 7.

The issue first came into light when, Bilal Anwar Khan, a Supreme Court advocate, tweeted an image of the question paper Sunday night and wrote, “Here is a new normal, de-humanising an entire community. A law college at Narela, NCR’s third-semester question paper (sic)”.

Here is a new normal, De-humanising an entire community, A Law College at Narela, NCR’s Third Semester Question Paper pic.twitter.com/qCSEloSUac

— Bilal Anwar (@bak_bilal) December 9, 2018

After the image was widely circulated on social media, the university attempted to steer off course saying that it “regrets” the question and added that students will not be evaluated on their answer. However, they did not answer, how they allowed such a communally charged question to appear in the first place.

Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said he had ordered an inquiry into the matter.

“It is very bizarre and seems to be an attempt to disturb the harmony of society. We won’t tolerate such misconduct. I am ordering an inquiry, and if found true, strongest action will be taken,” Sisodia said.

Hindutva terrorists have killed Thirty-nine people; almost all Muslims, in cow-related violence since the Narendra Modi-led BJP came to power in 2014, according to data portal IndiaSpend. Across the northern parts of India, a number of extrajudicial, militant ‘cow protection’ organisations and rackets have sprung up, which receive protection from local politicians, giving them a free rein to unleash terror on Muslims and Dalits.

N.R. Madhava Menon, considered by many as the father of modern legal education in India, said that questions such as these could “lead to mischief”. “The matter could be examined in context. To mention the religion of a person is not an offence unless it’s a live case. But (whether) to ask such a question as an example is a matter of prudence…. In the hands of some people it could lead to mischief (sic)’, the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

If the investigation against the university finds malicious intent, the paper setter may be booked under Section 153A (promoting enmity between religious groups) of the penal code and jailed for up to three years if convicted.