A Catholic archbishop has applauded an Indian state government’s plans for new punishments against vigilante-style violence, carried out to protect cows that are considered sacred by orthodox Hindus.

So-called cow protection groups have conducted a wave of lynchings across India in recent years mainly against religious minorities. The mainly Hindu nationalist mobs attack Muslims and others whom they suspect of storing beef or transporting cows for slaughter, a crime in most Indian states.

The government of central Madhya Pradesh State plans to amend a law allowing the jailing of those found guilty of such violence for up to five years and fines of up to 50,000 rupees.

The state cabinet approved on June 26 changes to the law, which currently does not include specific punishments for vigilante violence in the name of cow protection. Madhya Pradesh is governed by the secular Congress Party.

If passed by the state legislature it would become the first law in any Indian state to stipulate punishment for cow-related violence.

“The amendment is a right step as cow vigilantism has become a major worry, particularly among Christians and Muslims,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, based in the state capital.