The Mamata Banerjee government will table a bill seeking to protect citizens against lynching.

The West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Act, 2019, prescribes a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

A draft bill described lynching as “any act or series of acts of violence or aiding, abetting or attempting an act of violence, whether spontaneous or planned, by a mob on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, language, dietary practices, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnicity or any other ground”.

“It’s a good initiative. I have just got a copy of the bill…. Will share my views after going through the provisions,” said Left legislature party chief Sujan Chakraborty.

Rajasthan has an anti-lynching law while Manipur has one against mob violence.