The Hindu Editorial • February 25, 2026 • Read Original

Inglorious retreat: On the Supreme Court and cow vigilantism

The Court’s failure to uphold its directives on cow vigilantism is shocking

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 25, 2026

Inglorious retreat: On the Supreme Court and cow vigilantism

The Court’s failure to uphold its directives on cow vigilantism is shocking

Supreme CourtCow VigilantismMob LynchingJudicial RetreatRule of Law

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 17

English Original

The Supreme Court of India has washed its hands of the responsibility to enforce its own guidelines of 2018 to prevent and punish mob violence in the name of cow protection.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Supreme Court of India

The highest court in the country

Part 2

has

Has stopped taking responsibility for

Part 3

the responsibility to enforce its own of 2018 to prevent and punish in the name of cow protection

The duty to make sure its 2018 rules against mob violence related to cows are followed and those who break them are punished

Context and Background

The 2018 Guidelines (Tehseen Poonawalla Case)

In 2018, in the Tehseen S. Poonawalla vs. Union of India case, the Supreme Court issued strict guidelines to the Centre and States to prevent mob lynching. These included appointing nodal officers in every district, fast-tracking trials, and creating victim compensation schemes.

Sentence 2 of 17

English Original

The trajectory of this case over the years had foretold this outcome, and fits within a disturbing pattern of judicial diffidence in the face of majoritarian politics.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The of this case over the years

The way this case has developed and moved forward over a long time

Part 2

had

Had already suggested or predicted

Part 3

this outcome

This final result (the Court stepping back)

Part 4

fits

Matches or belongs to

Part 5

within a disturbing pattern of judicial in the face of

In a worrying trend where judges seem hesitant to act firmly against politics that favor the majority

Sentence 3 of 17

English Original

On February 23, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant, observed that the “general directions” issued by the Court in a 2018 judgment to the Centre and States to prevent and prosecute cow vigilantism and mobocracy were “unmanageable”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On February 23

On a specific day (two days before the editorial date)

Part 2

the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant

The senior-most judge of the Indian Supreme Court

Part 3

observed

Remarked or stated during the hearing

Part 4

that the “general directions” issued by the Court in a 2018 judgment to the Centre and States to prevent and cow vigilantism and were “”

That the rules made in 2018 to stop and punish people who take the law into their own hands in the name of cows were too difficult to control or apply

Sentence 4 of 17

English Original

The CJI favoured an approach of taking up each crime on its singular facts and merits, and went on to add that if someone’s rights are infringed, they could seek legal recourse.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The CJI

The Chief Justice of India (the top judge)

Part 2

favoured

Preferred or supported a particular way of doing things

Part 3

an approach of taking up each crime on its facts and

A method where each criminal case is looked at separately based on its own details and actual evidence

Part 4

went on to add

Further said or continued his explanation by saying

Part 5

that if someone’s rights are , they could seek

That if a person’s rights are violated, they have the option to go to court for help

Sentence 5 of 17

English Original

Petitioners had sought contempt proceedings against States that have refused to implement preventive, punitive and remedial measures against cow vigilantism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The group of people who filed the case in court

Part 2

had sought

Had asked for or requested

Part 3

against States that have refused to implement , and measures against cow vigilantism

Legal action against state governments that did not follow the court’s earlier rules to stop, punish, and help victims of cow-related violence

Sentence 6 of 17

English Original

In 2018, a Bench headed by then CJI Dipak Mishra had expressed shock and dismay over the spate of violence perpetrated by cow protection gangs.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018

During the year 2018

Part 2

a headed by then CJI Dipak Mishra

A group of judges led by the Chief Justice at that time, Dipak Mishra

Part 3

had expressed

Had shown or stated

Part 4

shock and

Strong feelings of surprise and sadness or worry

Part 5

over the of violence by cow protection gangs

About the sudden increase in attacks carried out by groups claiming to protect cows

Sentence 7 of 17

English Original

The Court had observed that lynching “must be curbed and crippled”, stressing that the state has a “sacrosanct duty” to protect citizens.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The Supreme Court of India

Part 2

had observed

Had stated or noted in its judgment

Part 3

that “must be and ”

That mob killings must be stopped and completely destroyed

Part 4

stressing that the state has a “ duty” to protect citizens

Highlighting that the government has a very important and holy duty to keep its people safe

Sentence 8 of 17

English Original

The 2018 guidelines assumed the Court would remain a watchdog, but what followed was a gradual, but unmistakable, judicial retreat that now appears final with the pronouncement of the CJI.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The 2018 guidelines

The rules established in 2018

Part 2

assumed

Suggested or took for granted that something would happen

Part 3

the Court would remain a

The Supreme Court would keep watching and checking how the rules were being followed

Part 4

what followed

What happened after the rules were made

Part 5

was

Turned out to be

Part 6

a gradual, but , that now appears final with the of the CJI

A slow but very clear step back by the judges from their active role, which seems to have ended completely with the Chief Justice’s recent statement

Sentence 9 of 17

English Original

In a situation of perfect rule of law, there is no reason for the highest court of the land to be directly involved in monitoring policing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In a situation of perfect

In a world where laws are followed perfectly by everyone including the government

Part 2

there

In this situation (used as a placeholder subject)

Part 3

Exists

Part 4

no reason for the highest court of the land to be directly involved in

No need for the Supreme Court to watch over how the police are doing their daily job

Sentence 10 of 17

English Original

Any police force acting in fidelity to the law would curb and bring to justice acts of violence.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Any police force acting in to the law

Any group of police that follows the law honestly and strictly

Part 2

would and

Should stop and arrest those responsible for

Part 3

acts of violence

Incidents where people are attacked or hurt

Sentence 11 of 17

English Original

That citizens had to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court for what should be a routine police function was itself revealing, and the 2018 judgment reflected that awareness.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That citizens had to seek the of the Supreme Court for what should be a police function

The fact that ordinary people had to go to the highest court just to make the police do their normal job

Part 2

was

By itself showed

Part 3

itself

Showed a very important truth or problem

Part 4

the 2018 judgment

The court’s decision and rules made in 2018

Part 5

reflected

Showed or proved

Part 6

that awareness

That the court knew about this problem (the police not doing their job)

Sentence 12 of 17

English Original

Since 2018, cow vigilantism has grown more monstrous, while the police and State governments, in many places, overlook or even encourage mob violence in the name of cow protection.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Since 2018

From the year 2018 until now

Part 2

cow vigilantism

The practice of taking the law into one’s own hands to protect cows

Part 3

has grown

Has become

Part 4

Much worse or more frightening

Part 5

while the police and State governments, in many places, or even mob violence in the name of cow protection

At the same time as the police and local governments in many areas ignore or even support mob attacks done for cow protection

Sentence 13 of 17

English Original

In several States, cow vigilantes have been accorded legal sanctity and quasi-policing powers in blatant violation of the Court’s guidelines.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In several States

In many different states of India

Part 2

cow vigilantes

Private citizens who take the law into their own hands to protect cows

Part 3

have been

Have been given or granted

Part 4

legal and powers

Official legal protection and powers that are similar to what the police have

Part 5

in of the Court’s guidelines

In a very clear and obvious way that goes against the rules set by the Supreme Court

Sentence 14 of 17

English Original

The Court earlier refused to entertain a special challenge to such empowerment of mobs, asking petitioners instead to file individual petitions in High Courts.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The Supreme Court of India

Part 2

earlier refused to

Had previously declined to hear or consider

Part 3

a special challenge to such of mobs

A legal request to stop the process of giving power to these mobs

Part 4

asking petitioners instead to file individual petitions in High Courts

Telling the people who filed the case to go to the state High Courts with their separate issues instead

Sentence 15 of 17

English Original

Several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States have not only refused to implement the Court’s directives but have also moved in the opposite direction by enabling vigilantism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States

Many states in India that are governed by the BJP

Part 2

have not only refused

Did not just say no or fail to act

Part 3

to implement the Court’s

To carry out the orders given by the Supreme Court

Part 4

have also moved

Have instead taken actions

Part 5

in the opposite direction

Doing the exact opposite of what was asked

Part 6

By allowing or helping private groups to take the law into their own hands

Sentence 16 of 17

English Original

Vigilante violence continues unabated, with the police looking away — or worse, turning against the victim.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Vigilante violence

Violence carried out by groups of people taking the law into their own hands

Part 2

continues

Is still going on

Part 3

Without stopping or slowing down

Part 4

with the police looking away — or worse, turning against the victim

While the police either ignore what is happening or, even worse, start harassing the person who was attacked

Sentence 17 of 17

English Original

It will be a severe blow to the rule of law if the Court sticks to the view that it has no reason or intent to uphold its own directives.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current situation or decision (placeholder subject)

Part 2

will be

Will result in or become

Part 3

a to the rule of law

A very serious damage to the system where everyone must follow the law

Part 4

if the Court the view that it has no reason or to its own directives

If the Supreme Court continues to believe that it doesn’t need to make sure its own rules are followed

Sentence 1 of 17

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The Supreme Court has signaled that it will no longer directly monitor the enforcement of its 2018 guidelines against cow vigilantism. <hindi>सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने संकेत दिया है कि वह अब गौ-सतर्कता के खिलाफ अपने 2018 के दिशा-निर्देशों के कार्यान्वयन की सीधे निगरानी नहीं करेगा।</hindi>
2 Chief Justice Surya Kant described the earlier general directions as unmanageable and favored a case-by-case legal approach instead. <hindi>न्यायमूर्ति सूर्यकांत ने पहले के सामान्य दिशा-निर्देशों को ‘अव्यवहार्य’ बताया और इसके बजाय मामले-दर-मामले कानूनी दृष्टिकोण अपनाने का समर्थन किया।</hindi>
3 This shift marks a significant retreat from the 2018 judgment which had called for strict measures to curb the menace of mob lynching. <hindi>यह बदलाव 2018 के फैसले से एक महत्वपूर्ण पीछे हटने का संकेत है, जिसमें भीड़ द्वारा की जाने वाली हिंसा (लिंचिंग) को रोकने के लिए सख्त उपायों का आह्वान किया गया था।</hindi>
4 The editorial highlights that many states have ignored these guidelines and, in some cases, have even empowered vigilante groups. <hindi>संपादकीय इस बात पर जोर देता है कि कई राज्यों ने इन दिशा-निर्देशों की अनदेखी की है और कुछ मामलों में तो सतर्कता समूहों (विजिलेंट समूहों) को सशक्त भी बनाया है।</hindi>
5 The Court’s refusal to uphold its own directives is seen as a major setback for the rule of law and protection of citizens. <hindi>अदालत द्वारा अपने स्वयं के निर्देशों को बनाए रखने से इनकार को कानून के शासन और नागरिकों की सुरक्षा के लिए एक बड़े झटके के रूप में देखा जा रहा है।</hindi>

Tone of the Editorial

Critical

Why this tone?

The editorial is highly critical of the Supreme Court’s “judicial retreat” from its 2018 guidelines. It uses strong language like “inglorious retreat,” “shocking,” and “monstrous” to describe the situation, and argues that the Court is failing in its “sacrosanct duty” to protect citizens from mob violence. <hindi>संपादकीय 2018 के दिशा-निर्देशों से सुप्रीम कोर्ट के ‘न्यायिक पीछे हटने’ की कड़ी आलोचना करता है। यह स्थिति का वर्णन करने के लिए ‘अपमानजनक पीछे हटना’ (inglorious retreat), ‘चौंकाने वाला’ (shocking) और ‘भयानक’ (monstrous) जैसे कड़े शब्दों का उपयोग करता है, और तर्क देता है कि अदालत नागरिकों को भीड़ की हिंसा से बचाने के अपने ‘पवित्र कर्तव्य’ में विफल हो रही है।</hindi>

Sentence 1 of 17

The Supreme Court of India has washed its hands of the responsibility to enforce its own guidelines of 2018 to prevent and punish mob violence in the name of cow protection.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Supreme Court of India

The highest court in the country

Part 2

has washed its hands of

Has stopped taking responsibility for

Part 3

the responsibility to enforce its own guidelines of 2018 to prevent and punish mob violence in the name of cow protection

The duty to make sure its 2018 rules against mob violence related to cows are followed and those who break them are punished

Sentence 2 of 17

The trajectory of this case over the years had foretold this outcome, and fits within a disturbing pattern of judicial diffidence in the face of majoritarian politics.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The trajectory of this case over the years

The way this case has developed and moved forward over a long time

Part 2

had foretold

Had already suggested or predicted

Part 3

this outcome

This final result (the Court stepping back)

Part 4

fits

Matches or belongs to

Part 5

within a disturbing pattern of judicial diffidence in the face of majoritarian politics

In a worrying trend where judges seem hesitant to act firmly against politics that favor the majority

Sentence 3 of 17

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On February 23

On a specific day (two days before the editorial date)

Part 2

the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant

The senior-most judge of the Indian Supreme Court

Part 3

observed

Remarked or stated during the hearing

Part 4

that the “general directions” issued by the Court in a 2018 judgment to the Centre and States to prevent and prosecute cow vigilantism and mobocracy were “unmanageable”

That the rules made in 2018 to stop and punish people who take the law into their own hands in the name of cows were too difficult to control or apply

Sentence 4 of 17

The CJI favoured an approach of taking up each crime on its singular facts and merits, and went on to add that if someone’s rights are infringed, they could seek legal recourse.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The CJI

The Chief Justice of India (the top judge)

Part 2

favoured

Preferred or supported a particular way of doing things

Part 3

an approach of taking up each crime on its singular facts and merits

A method where each criminal case is looked at separately based on its own details and actual evidence

Part 4

went on to add

Further said or continued his explanation by saying

Part 5

that if someone’s rights are infringed, they could seek legal recourse

That if a person’s rights are violated, they have the option to go to court for help

Sentence 5 of 17

Petitioners had sought contempt proceedings against States that have refused to implement preventive, punitive and remedial measures against cow vigilantism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Petitioners

The group of people who filed the case in court

Part 2

had sought

Had asked for or requested

Part 3

contempt proceedings against States that have refused to implement preventive, punitive and remedial measures against cow vigilantism

Legal action against state governments that did not follow the court’s earlier rules to stop, punish, and help victims of cow-related violence

Sentence 6 of 17

In 2018, a Bench headed by then CJI Dipak Mishra had expressed shock and dismay over the spate of violence perpetrated by cow protection gangs.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In 2018

During the year 2018

Part 2

a Bench headed by then CJI Dipak Mishra

A group of judges led by the Chief Justice at that time, Dipak Mishra

Part 3

had expressed

Had shown or stated

Part 4

shock and dismay

Strong feelings of surprise and sadness or worry

Part 5

over the spate of violence perpetrated by cow protection gangs

About the sudden increase in attacks carried out by groups claiming to protect cows

Sentence 7 of 17

The Court had observed that lynching “must be curbed and crippled”, stressing that the state has a “sacrosanct duty” to protect citizens.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The Supreme Court of India

Part 2

had observed

Had stated or noted in its judgment

Part 3

that lynching “must be curbed and crippled”

That mob killings must be stopped and completely destroyed

Part 4

stressing that the state has a “sacrosanct duty” to protect citizens

Highlighting that the government has a very important and holy duty to keep its people safe

Sentence 8 of 17

The 2018 guidelines assumed the Court would remain a watchdog, but what followed was a gradual, but unmistakable, judicial retreat that now appears final with the pronouncement of the CJI.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The 2018 guidelines

The rules established in 2018

Part 2

assumed

Suggested or took for granted that something would happen

Part 3

the Court would remain a watchdog

The Supreme Court would keep watching and checking how the rules were being followed

Part 4

what followed

What happened after the rules were made

Part 5

was

Turned out to be

Part 6

a gradual, but unmistakable, judicial retreat that now appears final with the pronouncement of the CJI

A slow but very clear step back by the judges from their active role, which seems to have ended completely with the Chief Justice’s recent statement

Sentence 9 of 17

In a situation of perfect rule of law, there is no reason for the highest court of the land to be directly involved in monitoring policing.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In a situation of perfect rule of law

In a world where laws are followed perfectly by everyone including the government

Part 2

there

In this situation (used as a placeholder subject)

Part 3

Exists

Part 4

no reason for the highest court of the land to be directly involved in monitoring policing

No need for the Supreme Court to watch over how the police are doing their daily job

Sentence 10 of 17

Any police force acting in fidelity to the law would curb and bring to justice acts of violence.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Any police force acting in fidelity to the law

Any group of police that follows the law honestly and strictly

Part 2

would curb and bring to justice

Should stop and arrest those responsible for

Part 3

acts of violence

Incidents where people are attacked or hurt

Sentence 11 of 17

That citizens had to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court for what should be a routine police function was itself revealing, and the 2018 judgment reflected that awareness.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

That citizens had to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court for what should be a routine police function

The fact that ordinary people had to go to the highest court just to make the police do their normal job

Part 2

was

By itself showed

Part 3

itself revealing

Showed a very important truth or problem

Part 4

the 2018 judgment

The court’s decision and rules made in 2018

Part 5

reflected

Showed or proved

Part 6

that awareness

That the court knew about this problem (the police not doing their job)

Sentence 12 of 17

Since 2018, cow vigilantism has grown more monstrous, while the police and State governments, in many places, overlook or even encourage mob violence in the name of cow protection.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Since 2018

From the year 2018 until now

Part 2

cow vigilantism

The practice of taking the law into one’s own hands to protect cows

Part 3

has grown

Has become

Part 4

more monstrous

Much worse or more frightening

Part 5

while the police and State governments, in many places, overlook or even encourage mob violence in the name of cow protection

At the same time as the police and local governments in many areas ignore or even support mob attacks done for cow protection

Sentence 13 of 17

In several States, cow vigilantes have been accorded legal sanctity and quasi-policing powers in blatant violation of the Court’s guidelines.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In several States

In many different states of India

Part 2

cow vigilantes

Private citizens who take the law into their own hands to protect cows

Part 3

have been accorded

Have been given or granted

Part 4

legal sanctity and quasi-policing powers

Official legal protection and powers that are similar to what the police have

Part 5

in blatant violation of the Court’s guidelines

In a very clear and obvious way that goes against the rules set by the Supreme Court

Sentence 14 of 17

The Court earlier refused to entertain a special challenge to such empowerment of mobs, asking petitioners instead to file individual petitions in High Courts.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Court

The Supreme Court of India

Part 2

earlier refused to entertain

Had previously declined to hear or consider

Part 3

a special challenge to such empowerment of mobs

A legal request to stop the process of giving power to these mobs

Part 4

asking petitioners instead to file individual petitions in High Courts

Telling the people who filed the case to go to the state High Courts with their separate issues instead

Sentence 15 of 17

Several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States have not only refused to implement the Court’s directives but have also moved in the opposite direction by enabling vigilantism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States

Many states in India that are governed by the BJP

Part 2

have not only refused

Did not just say no or fail to act

Part 3

to implement the Court’s directives

To carry out the orders given by the Supreme Court

Part 4

have also moved

Have instead taken actions

Part 5

in the opposite direction

Doing the exact opposite of what was asked

Part 6

by enabling vigilantism

By allowing or helping private groups to take the law into their own hands

Sentence 16 of 17

Vigilante violence continues unabated, with the police looking away — or worse, turning against the victim.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Vigilante violence

Violence carried out by groups of people taking the law into their own hands

Part 2

continues

Is still going on

Part 3

unabated

Without stopping or slowing down

Part 4

with the police looking away — or worse, turning against the victim

While the police either ignore what is happening or, even worse, start harassing the person who was attacked

Sentence 17 of 17

It will be a severe blow to the rule of law if the Court sticks to the view that it has no reason or intent to uphold its own directives.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current situation or decision (placeholder subject)

Part 2

will be

Will result in or become

Part 3

a severe blow to the rule of law

A very serious damage to the system where everyone must follow the law

Part 4

if the Court sticks to the view that it has no reason or intent to uphold its own directives

If the Supreme Court continues to believe that it doesn’t need to make sure its own rules are followed

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Supreme Court and Cow Vigilantism

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the Supreme Court's judicial retreat from cow vigilantism guidelines.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Inglorious retreat: On the Supreme Court and cow vigilantism

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