The matter might have ended at this stage requiring the respondents to file a counter affidavit. However, the matter cannot be treated to be so simple inasmuch as this Court is deluged with such matters on the basis of First Information Reports being filed left and right by the authorities and complainants under the provisions of the Act, 1955. (Para 15)

In this case, officers intercepted the transportation of nine living and healthy progeny of cows within Uttar Pradesh. Even though a slaughter or transport across state lines was not in issue, the owner of the vehicle was charged under Section 3, Section 5A, and Section 8 of the 1955 Act and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

In determining that no offense had occurred, the Court ordered protection for the petitioner and went even further, directing the Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police to personally file affidavits explaining this misuse pattern. The bench also asked for an explanation as to why the State has not issued a formal Government Order (GR) to carry out the Supreme Court’s binding directions from the judgment in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India (July 2018) to prevent mob violence and cow vigilantism.

The Preventive Measures mandated by the apex court in the Tehseen S. Poonawalla  case have been encapsulated in this action-oriented pamphlet widely disseminated by Citizens for Justice and Peace that may be read here.

For over a decade, CJP has systematically documented and intervened against the abuse of the “cow protection” laws. Since 2017, CJP’s legal and advocacy teams have tracked the rise of mob vigilantism, along with its legal facilitators, all over India — fact-finding, litigation, and public education being the methods of doing this work. Investigations like India: The New Lynchdom (2018, CJP) and Cow Vigilantism: A Tool for Terrorising Minorities (2020, CJP) have mapped hundreds of instances where such laws have reportedly been used to sanction mob, extrajudicial violence, and have documented how the criminal justice system has been captured, even driven, by majoritarian agendas. Against this background, this becomes an important moment of judicial awareness of what CJP and other human rights defenders have been implementing for years.

It is important to note that this order is not limited to a single petitioner. It represents a judicial and legal recognition that the ongoing misuse of the 1955 Act occurs as part of a broader culture of impunity that encourages vigilantes, criminalizes livelihoods, and undermines the rule of law.

Statutory Background of the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955

The 1955 Act was made to ban the killing of cows and their offspring and to control the transport of cows, all for the purpose of implementing Article 48 of the Constitution. The Act defines three regular aspects, where slaughter is banned under Section 3, transport within U.P. out-of-state is restricted under Section 5A, and punishment of three to ten years’ rigorous imprisonment and fine of ₹3–5 lakh is introduced under Section 8 for violations. Section 2(d) defines “slaughter” as “killing by any method whatsoever, and includes maiming and inflicting physical injury which in the ordinary course will cause death.” This definition shows that there must be some form of harm that would ultimately lead to death.

The Court emphasised that this requirement is routinely overlooked. It quoted Kaliya v. State of U.P. (2024 126 ACC 61), in which the Allahabad High Court cautioned that the conveyance of cows or calves in Uttar Pradesh does not invoke Section 5A since it only prohibits transport outside of that state. It also relied on the case of Parasram Ji v. Imtiaz (AIR 1962 All 22), a 1962 decision from the Allahabad High Court, which held that there is a difference between mere preparation and an attempt to slaughter. Preparation does not constitute an offence under the Act if the cow is tied up, for example. By citing Parasram Ji, the Bench emphasized that there was more than sixty years of settled law that the police were ignoring.

In this case, where slaughter, maiming, or interstate transportation was not charged, none of the violations applied. The judgment reminded us again of the Court’s own earlier warnings. In Rahmuddin v. State of U.P.(Criminal MISC. Bail Application No. – 34008 of 2020), the Court noted that the Act was being “misused against innocent persons” when it mentioned the meat was recovered, but often claimed all the meat to be cow meat without a laboratory test. In Jugadi Alias Nizamuddin v. State of U.P. (Criminal MISC Anticipatory Bail Application U/S 438 CR.P.C. No. – 182 of 2023), bail was granted before an arrest, as only cow-dung and a rope were recovered, but it was branded a “glaring example of misuse of penal law.” These rulings serve the greater purpose of demonstrating the number of mechanical FIRs that are being registered, even before investigation, and the abuse and incarceration that innocent people continue to experience.

Ambiguous legal provisions and ineffective procedural safeguards enable police overreach and selective police power against certain communities, mostly Muslims and Dalits. Consequently, the findings of the Allahabad High Court lend judicial authority to what human-rights defenders have been calling, for a long time, a systematic abuse of “cow-protection” laws.

This detailed legal explainer prepared by CJP in 2018 de-constructs how such laws have become a source of victimization.

The Court’s reasoning: From Casual FIRs to Vigilantism

After concluding that there was no offence made out, the Bench stated it was “deluged with such matters” resulting from indiscriminate First Information Reports (FIRs) under the 1955 Act (para 15). It directed the Principal Secretary (Home) and the DGP to show cause why the officers continue to lodge these FIRs in spite of the clear judicial precedent, in particular, the cases of Kaliya and Parasram Ji refer to cases in para 15. The Court required that the affidavits submitted by the officers included relevant affidavit material as to the taking of proposed disciplinary action by the State against the complainants and police personnel for making unwarranted FIRs, and if not, the Court required explanation for why the State did not issue a formal “Government Order” to legally preclude any such future FIRs, which served, in proportion, to undue disadvantage of cost in furthering the FIR towards frivolous case of prosecution.

In a serious observation, the Bench did not merely engage in procedural fault-finding; it also uncovered a more pervasive social consequence:

Yet another connected aspect of the matter under the garb of the Act, 1955 is vigilantism which is being practiced by various persons. Why we say this is because a few days back, a Bench of this Court was seized of a matter in which the car of the person was stopped by vigilantes and thereafter, it was not traceable. (See- Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. 9152 of 2025 Inre; Bablu Vs. State of U.P and Ors). In the said writ, instructions have been called for by the Court. Violence, lynching and vigilantism is the order of the day. (Para 30).

The Court relied on Bablu v. State of U.P. (W.P. No. 9152 of 2025), where vigilantes encircled a vehicle, which later went missing, to illustrate how misuse of the statute invites disorder. Moreover, it established the illustration of occurrence within the wider phenomenon of “mob violence” by linking directly with the reasoning of the Supreme Court in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India that “vigilantism cannot, by any consideration, be allowed to take shape… it ushers in anarchy, chaos and disorder.”

National Legal Framework: The Tehseen S. Poonawalla Mandate

In the case of Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India, the Supreme Court remarked on the very real and concerning increase in lynchings and violence related to cows. The Court, speaking through Chief Justice Dipak Misra, A.M. Khanwilkar, and D.Y. Chandrachud, found that lynching was “a failing of the rule of law and of the lofty ideals of the Constitution itself.” The Court noted that State agencies have the “primary responsibility” to protect against cow-vigilantism or any type of mob violence.

In paragraph 40 of the judgement, the Supreme Court gave a thorough set of preventative, remedial, and punitive directions: every district must appoint a nodal police officer (not below the rank of Superintendent) for oversight for prevention of mob violence; identify sensitive areas; establish fast-track courts for lynching cases; develop compensatory schemes for victims under Section 357A of the CrPC; and identify negligent officials and hold them accountable.

Despite these unequivocal mandates, however, the Allahabad High Court found that Uttar Pradesh had taken no action to meaningfully operationalise the Supreme Court directions. It found that a circular issued by the DGP on 26 July 2018 could not substitute for a Government Order issued under Article 162 of the Constitution, as such an order would reflect Government policy. The Bench thus required an explanation for the non-compliance and required affidavits showing compliance, on the basis that the lack of the Government Order undermined the prevention and punishment framework contemplated by the Supreme Court.

Notwithstanding these clear directions, the Allahabad High Court noticed that Uttar Pradesh had taken no decisive steps toward operationalizing the guidelines. Its finding was that a circular issued by the DGP on 26 July 2018 was not an adequate alternative to a Government Order issued pursuant to Article 162 of the Constitution. Only a Government Order could adequately reflect the policy of the Government. The Bench mandated a rationale of non-compliance and required affidavits evidencing compliance, noting that, absent an order from the Government, the preventive and punitive framework envisaged by the Supreme Court simply could not be accomplished.

Constitutional Implications: Articles 14, 19, and 21

The aggressive and arbitrary usage of the 1955 Act violates the equality, liberty, and due-process guarantees of the Constitution. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, and this equality is violated when FIRs are lodged with no basis in fact or when officers exercise their discretion to target only particular communities. The equal protection principle is breached when FIRs are lodged “left and right” (para 15) when there are no fundamental elements of an offence. Therefore, non-arbitrariness, which is at the heart of Article 14, is violated.

Article 19 protects against arbitrary seizure of vehicles or criminalizing intra-State cattle transport, colloquially known as the “anti-cow slaughter provisions,” which interfere with unreasonable restrictions on the lawful trade, profession, and movement of citizens. Kaliya v. State of U.P. explicitly clarified that intra-State transport is not an offence. It is clear how restrictions on engaging in an occupation, profession, or trade when they are established directly restrict citizens’ economic liberty.

Under Article 21, the arbitrary actions are a further deprivation of liberty and dignity without due process of law. In Rahmuddin, the Court noted that accused persons languish in prison because meat samples are rarely sent for analysis and dispose of the need for due process. The combination of legal negligence and social malice undermines the conception of equal citizenship and uses the protection of cows as an excuse to persecute people. The High Court, accepting that using the 1955 Act has “wasted precious judicial time” (para 41) and that citizens should not have to “spend valuable money and time” to seek relief, demonstrates that this violation is both an individualized violation and a burden on the judiciary.

As CJP’s analyses have frequently stated, police impunity and informally inflicted violence contribute to the sense that “there are two sets of citizens: one protected by the law and the other punished by law.”

The judgment’s call for the most senior officials to be held individually accountable brings back an important idea behind constitutional governance: that executive negligence in the enforcement of the fundamental rights of every citizen cannot be excused by the silence of an institution. When the authorities of the State ignore orders made by the Supreme Court and allow vigilantes to act, the authorities of the State cease to execute their constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law.

Misuse, Vigilantism, and the Rule of Law

The Allahabad High Court’s ruling in Rahul Yadav exposes that the U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act has transitioned from a regulatory instrument to a tool for arbitrary prosecution. The Court explicitly points out that “under the garb of the Act is vigilantism,” giving judicial voice to what human-rights reporting has documented for some time—that the selective enforcement of cow-protection laws legitimizes mob violence to the detriment of threatened communities.

In reports like Divide and Rule in the Name of the Cow, CJP documents how false charges of cow slaughter/transport have been aimed at Muslims and Dalits. Sabrang’s investigations show that even after Tehseen Poonawalla, most States have not yet implemented mandatory measures as required, such as putting in place effective nodal officers or monitoring hate crimes regularly. This collection of ground reports gives both the socio-legal context to what the High Court has now acknowledged formally: the misuse of the 1955 Act has become institutionalized.

The Bench’s instruction that the Principal Secretary (Home) and DGP provide personal affidavits marks a moment when the judiciary will demand institutional accountability, not just individual relief. Whether this results in real change will depend on what the State does, if it finally issues the long-overdue Government Order required by Tehseen S. Poonawalla and takes corrective action with respect to the errant officials.

The abuse of the 1955 Act, therefore, remains a legal and moral paradox—a law intended to protect life but used under circumstances that inhibit liberty, equality, and the viability of constitutional democracy.

The judgment in Rahul Yadav v. State of Uttar Pradesh can be read here

The judgment in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India can be read here

The judgment in Kaliya v. State of U.P. can be read here

The judgment in Parasram Ji v. Imtiaz, can be read here

The judgment in Rahmuddin v. State of U.P. can be read here

The judgment in Jugadi Alias Nizamuddin v. State of U.P can be read here

The judgment in Bablu v. State of U.P. can be read here

Related:

Cow Vigilantism: The primary cause of persecution of Muslim minority in India

India: The new Lynchdom

Right wing groups indoctrinate Hindu youth to wield Trishuls to protect religion, cows

Cow vigilantism, a tool for terrorising minorities?

SC urged to formulate guidelines to curb Cow Vigilantism

Cow Slaughter Prevention Laws in India

Divide and Rule in the Name of the Cow

28 States and UTs have appointed nodal officers to curb hate speech in compliance with 2018 Tehseen Poonawalla verdict :Union Home Ministry to Supreme Court

“Vigilantism is not permissible, needs to be checked”: SC, following up Tehseen Poonawalla case

Several steps forward but miles to go in the battle for a hate-free India: Supreme Court in 2023

The post Judicial Pushback against Cow Vigilantism: Allahabad HC flags arbitrary FIRs, demands accountability from top officials appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The victim, Aasif Babu Multani, and his cousin Mohsin, both residents of Multanpur in Mandsaur, had travelled to Bhilwara’s Lambia Raila cattle market on September 15 to purchase oxen and buffaloes for their fields and dairy business. As reported by Indian Express, in the early hours of September 16, as they drove home, their pickup van was chased, forced off the road, and surrounded by 14–15 men who dragged them out and beat them mercilessly.

According to Mohsin, who managed to escape by hiding in nearby woods, the mob kept shouting “gau taskar” (cow smuggler) as they rained blows on Aasif. The report of The Hindu provides that “They didn’t even ask questions. They saw cattle, saw Muslims, and decided we were smugglers,” he said. The assailants also allegedly seized ₹36,000 in cash, snatched purchase receipts, and used Aasif’s phone to call his family, demanding an additional ₹50,000 to spare his life.

Aasif was first taken to Bhilwara’s Mahatma Gandhi Hospital with severe head injuries and later referred to Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Medical College for neurosurgery. He succumbed to his injuries on September 20. He leaves behind his wife, a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and an eight-month-old son.

His brother, Manju Pemla, broke down while speaking to The Hindu: “My brother’s only ‘crime’ was that he was Muslim and transporting cattle. There wasn’t even a cow in the van—only oxen and buffaloes. They killed him because of who he was.”

Police response

According to abplive, Bhilwara Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh confirmed the arrest of five individuals and the registration of an FIR under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, and extortion. A parallel case of alleged cow smuggling has also been filed against the victims.

According to the report, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case using CCTV footage and digital evidence. Officials say the SIT will also examine whether personal enmity, extortion, or a roadside altercation played a role. However, family members insist that the attackers are part of organised cow-vigilante groups well known for harassing cattle traders.

Despite the arrests, Pemla pointed out that several accused specifically named in the FIR remain free. “The men Mohsin identified from social media videos are roaming around. Until they’re caught, we cannot feel safe,” he said.

Aasif’s death underscores a chilling pattern—where mob violence around cattle transport blends religious prejudice with criminal opportunism, leaving ordinary farmers and their families shattered.

The killing, reported in the inside pages of national dailies also reveals a sombre normalisation of such targeted vigilante driven violence; something that is almost accepted as a norm!

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Right-wing groups demand Muslim ban at Jabalpur Navratri garba

The post Madhya Pradesh Muslim man lynched in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara over cattle transport; family alleges religious targeting & extortion plot appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Background of the incident

On February 22, a pickup truck transporting two dairy cattle from Rajasthan to Lucknow lost its way in Palwal, Haryana. The vehicle was intercepted by a group of cow vigilantes riding motorcycles, who suspected the occupants of cow smuggling. The vigilantes brutally assaulted the driver, Balkishan, and his helper, Sandeep, using lathis, swords, and hammers, causing multiple fractures and stab injuries. After the assault, they threw the duo into a canal in Gurugram’s Sohna, assuming both were dead. However, Balkishan managed to swim to safety and lodged a police complaint, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

Investigation and arrests

The police identified 11 accused in the case, with five arrested so far. The accused include Pankaj, Nikhil, and Devraj from Palwal, and Pawan and Naresh from Gurugram and Nuh, respectively. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and admitted to killing Sandeep. The body of Sandeep was recovered from the canal on March 2, eight days after the incident. The police investigation revealed that the victims were legally transporting dairy cattle, but the vigilantes acted on mere suspicion.

Accused associated with “Gau Rakha Dal” Haryana

According to the police, the accused, who were associated with a cow protection group (Gau Raksha Dal, Haryana), attacked the both using lathis, swords, and hammers, resulting in multiple fractures and stab injuries. A week-long search operation led to the discovery of Sandeep’s body, a resident of Ganganagar in Rajasthan.

Palwal’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime, Manoj Verma stated that the victims were transporting two dairy cattle in a pickup truck from Rajasthan to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. On the night of February 22, they became lost and encountered the accused, who were riding motorcycles.

He said that “Truck driver Balkishan swam to safety but helper Sandeep’s body was fished out from the canal on Sunday,” as per a report in the Hindustan Times.

Victim’s dead boy recovered from canal

Thereafter, the members of the alleged cow protection group allegedly kidnapped the two on suspicion of cow smuggling, assaulted them and threw them into a canal in Gurugram’s Sohna. After being brutally assaulted by the gang, one of them died. The accused threw the two into a canal, assuming both were dead, but driver Balkishan managed to swim to safety and lodged a police complaint, as per a report in the The Hindu.

However, following Balkishan’s complaint, police announced a reward of 5,000 rupees to anyone who knows about the whereabouts of the accused.

The growing horror of self-vigilantism: cow vigilantes on the rise in Haryana

Lynching of migrant worker in Charkhi Dadri

The rise of self-styled cow vigilantes in Haryana has sparked a disturbing wave of violence, with incidents of lynching and extortion becoming more frequent. On August 27, 2024, a 26-year-old Sabir Malik, a migrant worker from West Bengal, was brutally lynched by a group of cow vigilantes over the suspicion that he had consumed beef. The attack occurred at a village bus stand in Charkhi Dadri, where Sabir was dragged away by the accused after being lured with a false promise of scrap to dispose of. Another migrant, Aseeruddin from Assam, was also attacked and hospitalised.

Increased tensions and rising fear

Sabir, a scrap dealer, was left dead near a canal in Bhandwa village, while Aseeruddin was dumped elsewhere. The brutal act was committed by individuals also linked to the ‘Gau Raksha Dal,’ a self-declared cow protection group. Following the murder, eight suspects were arrested, but the violence left a community shattered. Sabir’s tragic death leaves behind a grieving wife and a two-year-old daughter, raising questions about the growing dangers faced by migrant workers in Haryana.

19-yr-old shot dead by cow vigilantes after 30-km car chase in Haryana

Similarly, on August 24, 2024, a Class 12th student, identified as Aryan Mishra was shot dead in Haryana’s Faridabad after being suspicious of a cattle smuggler. The Victim, Aryan Mishra was chased for around 30 kilometres by a five-member group of “Gau Raksha Dal” before being killed him. All of the accused were subsequently arrested by the Faridabad Police.

Aryan was killed because cow vigilante assumed he was Muslim

It was reported that Aryan Mishra was killed by the group because they believed Aryan was a Muslim, his mother has expressed sorrow and confusion. Aryan’s mother Uma Mishra while reacting on the question of the reason behind Aryan’s killing, she said “The accused mistook him as a Muslim and killed him. Why? Aren’t Muslims human?

Aryan’s mother further questioned that “Why do you need to kill Muslims?”

However, the recent surge in cow vigilante violence in Haryana, exemplified by the brutal killing of truck conductor Sandeep and other incidents, raises serious concerns over the unchecked power of self-declared “gau rakshaks” (cow protectors). The involvement of these vigilantes with groups like Gau Raksha Dal has led to widespread fear, especially among migrant workers, minorities, and those perceived as outsiders. Disturbingly, many of the accused in these cases are suspected to have close links with local law enforcement, which raises questions about the accountability and effectiveness of the authorities.

As seen in the Palwal case, vigilantes freely engage in violent acts based on mere suspicion, often without facing immediate consequences. The fact that some accused individuals are linked to law enforcement and cow protection groups highlights the complicity and leniency that may exist within these institutions.

Related:

Haryana Horror: Migrant worker lynched and teenager fatally shot amid rising violence

Mob Lynching in 2020: Misleading Exception than a Norm

Remembering 15-Year-Old Junaid A Year After He Was Lynched

The post Haryana Police arrested five cow-vigilantes in alleged killing of truck conductor on suspicion of cow smuggling in Palwal appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Rising tide of cow vigilante violence

A wave of violent attacks and harassment against Muslims has unfolded across various Indian states. Cow vigilantes, under the banner of cow protection, have increasingly taken the law into their own hands, targeting Muslims accused of smuggling or slaughtering cows. These self-declared protectors of cattle have escalated their campaigns, often resorting to physical violence, harassment, and public humiliation to enforce their agenda. The perpetrators, including prominent groups like the Gau Raksha Dal and other cow-protection outfits of right-wing organizations, operate with little regard for legal processes. The victims, often Muslim individuals involved in transporting cattle or related products, face unwarranted assault and threats. These vigilantes, operating without any legal authority, frequently use firearms and engage in reckless pursuits, putting lives at risk. Their unchecked violence has become a growing concern, with reports of accidents and injuries resulting from their dangerous actions. 

Timeline of assaults and harassment from December 2024, to January, 2025: –

States

Madhya Pradesh

Location – Bhopal

Date: January 8, 2025

On January 8, 2025, cow vigilantes, accompanied by the police, apprehended a truck that was transporting cattle. The driver was immediately accused of being involved in cow smuggling, a common allegation that has led to numerous such incidents across the country. Despite no proper verification or legal process, the vigilantes physically assaulted the driver.

Haryana

Date: January 7, 2025

In a disturbing incident, members of the Gau Raksha Dal in Haryana used firearms to intercept a truck suspected of transporting cattle. They accused the drivers of smuggling cows and proceeded to seize the vehicle.

Location – Rohtak

Date: December 25

Two Muslim drivers transporting bulls in a pickup truck were accosted and harassed by cow vigilantes. The men were wrongfully accused of smuggling cattle for illegal slaughter, despite providing no evidence to support these claims. The drivers were subjected to verbal abuse, physical threats, and intimidation.

Location – Tauru, Nuh,

Date: December 18

In a similar incident, cow vigilantes in Tauru, Nuh, harassed a Muslim truck driver transporting cattle, accusing him of cow smuggling. The driver faced severe harassment and was forced to endure hostile questioning, which was rooted in religious bias rather than any evidence of illegal activity.

Location – KMP Expressway

Date: December 20

On December 20, another truck carrying cattle was stopped by cow vigilantes on the KMP Expressway. The driver was physically assaulted and accused of smuggling cows for illegal slaughter.

Assam

Location – Rangia

Date: January 9, 2025

In Rangia, Assam, members of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal physically harassed two Muslim drivers, accusing them of smuggling cow meat. Despite presenting the necessary documentation and repeatedly stating that the meat was buffalo, the vigilantes refused to listen and continued their assault.

Chhattisgarh

Location – Raipur

Date: January 8, 2025

A raid led by Bajrang Dal members, supported by the police, took place in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where slaughtered cattle were discovered in a house. The butchers were harassed, publicly humiliated, and forced to chant slogans demanding the execution of those involved in cow slaughter. The police also paraded the accused through the streets, forcing them to chant that killing cows is a sin.

Location – Kumhari, Durg

Date: December 28, 2025

In Durg, Chhattisgarh, on December 28, cow vigilantes assaulted truck drivers transporting cowhide. The drivers were wrongfully accused of smuggling cows, and the vigilantes used physical intimidation to enforce their accusations.

In #Chhattisgarh‘s #Durg, cow vigilantes on Dec 28, assaulted the drivers of a truck transporting cowhide, alleging them to be cow smugglers. pic.twitter.com/LtQSGAhTPF

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) January 3, 2025

Maharashtra

Location – Chopda, Nandurbar

Date: December 6

On December 6, a dangerous situation unfolded in Nandurbar when cow vigilantes from the Pranin Foundation recklessly pursued three vehicles transporting cattle. The chase caused one vehicle to topple, while the vigilantes seized the other two vehicles and all the cattle

Location – Ahilyanagar

Date: November 30

In a similar incident, cow vigilantes intercepted trucks transporting cattle on November 30 in Ahilyanagar. They alleged that the cattle were being taken to illegal slaughterhouses, despite no legal confirmation of such claims. These vigilante groups are increasingly stopping vehicles and seizing cattle, often without evidence or legal authority to do so.

Location – Mirajgaon, Karjat, Ahmednagar

Date: November 8

A car chase by cow vigilantes on November 8 led to a car crash in Mirajgaon, Karjat, and Ahmednagar. Cow vigilantes cause a car crash by recklessly chasing it, followed by a team photo with local police reportedly assisting in the operation

Location – Mhasane, Parner Taluka, Ahmednagar

Date: October 20, 2024

In Ahmednagar, a group of vigilantes apprehended two Muslim cattle traders transporting cattle. The men were stripped, severely beaten, and then handed over to the police. The traders’ vehicle was vandalized, and the 52 cattle they were transporting were seized and sent to a local cow shelter. This brutal assault highlights the dangers faced by minority communities, particularly those involved in cattle trade, as they are often subjected to violence without evidence of wrongdoing.

Uttar Pradesh

Location – Mathura

Date: November 26

Members of the Gau Raksha Dal, led by Sonu Hindu Palwal, seized a truck transporting cattle and assaulted the driver, accusing him of smuggling cows for illegal slaughter. They also alleged that someone fired a gun at them from another car, but managed to escape

Location – Ghaziabad

Date: November 22, 2024

Members of cow-vigilante group Mahadev Seva Sangh assaulted the drivers of a truck transporting cattle on allegations of smuggling cows

Location – Chhutmalpur, Saharanpur

Date: November 19, 2024

Members of Gau Raksha Dal surround a Muslim woman and harass her after finding her with meat, which they claim is an illegally slaughtered cow

Punjab

Location – Rajpura, Patiala

Date: November 25, 2024

Members of the Gau Raksha Dal, led by their national president Satish Kumar, harassed three men, accusing them of being cow thieves

Karnataka

Location – Dakshin Kannada

Date: November 8, 2024

Cow vigilante Puneet Kerehalli urges people to boycott Muslim businessmen and halal-certified products, and instead buy products marked with the Swastik symbol and from Hindu-owned businesses

Jammu & Kashmir

Location – Ramban

Date: October 21, 2024

Cow vigilantes assaulted a group of men for allegedly transporting cattle

Gujrat

Location – Agol Village, Mahesana

Three Muslim youth were brutally beaten by cow vigilantes while passing through Valavadi village with their cattle in Gujarat’s Mahesana.

Sahil, a resident of Agol village was along with his two friends when they were caught and assaulted

Three #Muslim youth were brutally beaten by cow vigilantes while passing through #Valavadi village with their cattle in #Gujarat‘s #Mahesana.

Sahil, a resident of #Agol village was along with his two friends when they were caught and assualted. pic.twitter.com/CxGnfb6Www

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) October 24, 2024

Police complicity and the mockery of justice

In a deeply troubling development, law enforcement agencies have often been complicit in these violent incidents. In several cases, police have either supported the vigilante groups or turned a blind eye, allowing them to act with impunity. For instance, in Chhattisgarh, Bajrang Dal members, backed by the police, raided a house for slaughtered cattle, humiliating the accused. Similarly, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, police were present when cow vigilantes assaulted a truck driver accused of smuggling cattle. These incidents signal a disturbing trend where the state machinery fails to uphold the law, reinforcing the power of vigilantes.

Weaponising cow protection

The rise of cow vigilante violence reflects a broader ideological and political agenda that weaponises the issue of cow protection. What began as a means to protect cattle has now become a tool to target religious minorities, particularly Muslims, based on their involvement in the cattle trade. These attacks, which often occur with little to no legal repercussions, highlight the growing communal tensions in India. The increasing involvement of police in protecting or supporting these groups exacerbates the situation, further entrenching the sense of fear and insecurity among vulnerable communities.

Violence spreads from rural to urban areas

This trend is not confined to rural areas but has spread to urban centres, where vigilantes increasingly accuse individuals of smuggling cattle or engaging in illegal slaughter. In many cases, there is no credible evidence to support these claims. Instead, the accusations seem rooted in religious bias and have led to widespread intimidation and violence. As a result, Muslim communities, particularly those involved in the cattle trade, are being subjected to escalating threats and physical harm.

A map showing the cow vigilantism across India may be viewed here.

Related:

November 2024 Surge in Cow Vigilantism: Rising Violence and Legal Apathy in North India

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Uttarakhand High Court orders security, condemns hate speech over Uttarkashi Mosque

The post Rampant cow vigilantism unleashes violence on Muslim truck drivers across the country appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In recent years, since 2014, cow vigilantism has become the primary cause of violence against Muslims by extremist Hindutva Vadi groups. Recently, a 37 year old Muslim man named Mohammad Shahideen Qureshi, from Moradabad became a victim of the same. On the 30th of December, 2024, Qureshi and his friend Mohammad Adnan were attacked by an aggressive Hindutva mob shouting the slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” alleging that Qureshi and Adnan had slaughtered a cow. Meanwhile Adnan escaped, Qureshi, who suffered serious injuries after the attack and was admitted in the Moradabad district hospital, succumbed to those injuries.

A report in the Indian Express quotes the Station House Officer where he states, “We took suo moto cognizance and registered an FIR against Qureshi and Mohammad Adnan (29) for cow slaughter,” said the Majhola Station House Officer Mohit Chaudhary. Another FIR has been registered by Mohammad Shahjad (the brother of the deceased) against unidentified individuals under Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as per a report in the Hindustan Times.

Police has arrested the accomplice of the deceased who was allegedly with him at the time of the assault for cow slaughter. SHO Mohit Chaudhary said that Adnan fled the spot after locals found him and Qureshi slaughtering an ox in the early hours of December 30, 2024. However, it must be noted that so far, the Police has not been able to make any arrests in the murder case. The Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Kumar Ran Vijay Singh said investigations are ongoing, however “We have not been able to arrest anybody in connection with the killing of Qureshi so far.”

Qureshi transported goods on rented hand carts for a living. His sister-in-law Masooma jamal said “This was no age to die. Is the value of human life so less today? Even if he killed an animal, they could have called the police. He could have been in jail, but why did people beat him up so badly that he died.” This question of Jamal raises the fundamental concern of how cow vigilantism has increased in the recent years becoming a primary reason for violence against Muslims.

This incident brings the dire state of law-and-order enforcement into focus. According to a research conducted by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data reported by Statista, the primary cause for violence against Muslim civilians between, June 2019 to March 2024, has been cow vigilante actions by Hindus. Further, according to a Reuters report, between the year 2010 and mid-2017, a total of 63 cow vigilante attacks have occurred in India, most after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came into power in the year 2014. In these attacks, 28 individuals were killed, of which 24 were Muslims, and 124 were injured. Furthermore, the Human Rights Watch has observed that there has been a surge in cow vigilante violence in India since the year 2015 and the same is attributed to the recent rise in Hindu nationalism in India. As per an analysis by the Observer Research Foundation, cow related violence has spiked up drastically from 5 percent of the total incident of lynching or public disorder in the year 2011, to 20 percent in the year 2017. Cow vigilantism can be perceived as an expression of latent communal prejudice born out of palpable remains of the India-Pakistan partition memories. It is also a result of the strategy of communal-polarisation adopted by the Hindu-right-wing creating a false sense of fear and threat to the Hindu community.

The action of Moradabad police of filing an FIR against the deceased reflects the deep-rooted bias and extreme Hindu nationalist ideology that has become deeply ingrained even in the law-enforcement machinery of India. It is pertinent to note and understand that anarchy, chaos and disorder ensue when any group of people under the garb of self-assumed and self-appointed protectors of law take the law into their own hands, which would then lead to the emergence of a violent society.

The Supreme Court in the case of Tehseen S. Poonawalla vs. Union of India [(2018) 9 SCC 501] and Ors. has expressed its concerns over the rising number of cases of what can be categorized as “cow vigilantism”. The apex court in this case observed that “Lynching and mob violence are creeping threats that may gradually take the shape of a Typhon-like monster as evidenced in the wake of the rising wave of incidents of recurring patterns by frenzied mobs across the country instigated by intolerance and misinformed by circulation of fake news and false stories. There has been an unfortunate litany of spiralling mob violence and agonised horror presenting a grim and gruesome picture that compels us to reflect whether the populace of a great Republic like ours has lost the values of tolerance to sustain a diverse culture.”

Further, in the case of Shubham Singh Baghel vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors. [MANU/MP/1610/2020], the Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that “the acts of vigilantism may be construed by the State as acts threatening the stability of Public Order”.

While the Judiciary has time and again highlighted the dangers of mob violence and how the same affects the secular fabric of India, there has been little to no action taken by the law enforcement bodies to ensure public order and peace.

It also becomes pertinent to understand the response of the government machinery towards cow vigilantism. In the infamous Dadri case, which has been deeply covered by CJP, where a Muslim man was murdered by a Hindutva mob after entering his house on the allegations of possession of beef, as per a report by Newslaundry, the then Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said, “(the murder) took place as a reaction to that incident (cow slaughter). You must also consider that there was also a 17-year-old daughter in that home. Kisi ne usey ungli nahin lagaayi (nobody touched her).”

The then Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar called the lynching a misunderstanding and reinstated sectarianism by claiming, “They can be Muslim even after they stop eating beef, can’t they? It is written nowhere that Muslims have to eat beef, nor is it written anywhere in Christianity that they have to eat beef.”

While the acts of cow vigilantism have instilled a fear, the inappropriate and inadequate response of the government and law-enforcement machineries have perpetuated the belief that such fanaticism is beyond the reach of law.

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The post Rise in Cow Vigilantism: A leading driver of discrimination against India’s Muslim minority appeared first on SabrangIndia.

November 2024 witnessed a spate of cow vigilantism cases across North India, particularly in the state of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, each marked by its own brutality and disregard for legal norms. From public harassment and assaults to deaths in custody, these incidents underscore a grim pattern of targeted violence. The details of these incidents are provided below:

Cow vigilantism across states

Haryana

1. Location: Mohra, Ambala

Date: November 12

In Ambala’s Mohra village, the Gau Raksha Dal, led by national president Satish Kumar, stopped a truck carrying cattle. Assisted by local police, the vigilantes accused the Muslim drivers of smuggling cows for slaughter. Despite the absence of evidence, the vigilantes verbally abused and humiliated the drivers, hurling communal slurs. As per social media posts, eyewitnesses described how the group took over the investigation, dictating terms to the passive police officers. This incident is emblematic of how cow vigilantes exploit the legal machinery to legitimise their actions while targeting minorities.

2. Location: Nuh

Date: November 24

In Nuh, members of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal and Gau Raksha Dal intercepted a truck transporting cattle, claiming the animals were being smuggled for slaughter. The drivers were assaulted and publicly humiliated, with videos of the incident shared online to further intimidate the community. The lack of police action against the vigilantes highlights a troubling trend of selective enforcement, where victims are criminalised while perpetrators enjoy impunity.

Uttar Pradesh

1. Location: Chhutmalpur, Saharanpur

Date: November 19

A chilling incident occurred in Saharanpur’s Chhutmalpur, where members of the Gau Raksha Dal surrounded a Muslim woman found carrying meat. Without evidence, they accused her of possessing beef from an illegally slaughtered cow. The woman was publicly harassed, subjected to communal abuse, and forced to defend herself against baseless allegations. Such actions highlight how cow vigilantism often takes a gendered form, with women facing disproportionate humiliation.

2. Location: Vrindavan

Date: November 22

In Vrindavan, Gau Raksha Dal members intercepted a truck carrying cattle. The vigilantes assaulted the drivers, accusing them of illegal cow slaughter. The group filmed the attack and shared it online, using it as a propaganda tool to showcase their actions as a form of moral policing. Witnesses reported that the victims were left bleeding and traumatised while the police arrived only after the situation had escalated.

3. Location: Jaunpur

Date: November 22

One of the most harrowing incidents unfolded in Jaunpur, where a Muslim man allegedly died in police custody. The police alleged he was a cow smuggler and claimed he was shot during an encounter. However, the victim’s family provided a starkly different account: they stated he was detained while drinking tea at a market and later taken to a remote location, where he was tortured and shot in the leg. The family reported severe injuries, including chest trauma and bleeding from his nose and ears. This incident not only exposes the nexus between law enforcement and cow vigilantism but also raises questions about the misuse of encounter killings to target marginalised groups.

4. Location: Ghaziabad

Date: November 22

In Ghaziabad, members of the Mahadev Seva Sangh assaulted two truck drivers transporting cattle. The vigilantes accused them of cow smuggling and subjected them to a brutal beating. The victims were handed over to the police, who focused on questioning the drivers while ignoring the violence perpetrated by the vigilantes. This selective approach underscores the complicity of law enforcement in enabling mob violence.

5. Location: Mathura

Date: November 26

In Mathura, members of the Gau Raksha Dal, led by Sonu Hindu Palwal, attacked a truck driver transporting cattle, accusing him of illegal slaughter. The vigilantes also claimed that someone accompanying the driver fired a gun at them, but the alleged shooter escaped. The truck driver, visibly injured, was detained by the police. Witnesses reported that the vigilantes acted with a sense of impunity, knowing they would face no legal consequences for their actions.

Punjab

1. Location: Rajpura, Patiala

Date: November 25

In Rajpura, members of the Gau Raksha Dal, under Satish Kumar’s leadership, stopped and harassed three men, accusing them of being cow thieves. The vigilantes verbally abused the victims and threatened them with violence. Despite the lack of evidence, the group claimed to have acted in the interest of cow protection, highlighting how such vigilantes often operate without any legal basis.

Cow vigilantism: Systemic failures, communal targeting, and the role of social media

Cow vigilantism in India reflects a troubling intersection of systemic failures, communal biases, and the misuse of digital platforms. The recurring incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of complicity between law enforcement and vigilante groups. Police inaction—or, at times, active participation—not only enables these groups to function as parallel judicial systems but also legitimises their unlawful activities. The lack of accountability ensures that vigilantes operate with impunity, often using violence as a tool to assert dominance and intimidate vulnerable communities. This breakdown in the rule of law emboldens such groups to act as self-appointed enforcers of morality and legality.

A consistent and deeply concerning feature of cow vigilantism is the targeted harassment of Muslims and Dalits. These incidents are far from isolated; they form part of a broader narrative of communal polarisation, where the guise of cow protection is weaponised to criminalise and marginalise minority communities. The misuse of cow protection laws serves to legitimise these actions, creating a climate of fear and exclusion that exacerbates social tensions. Victims are often publicly humiliated, assaulted, or worse, killed, while perpetrators frequently face little to no legal repercussions. The societal impact of this targeting is profound, fostering mistrust and deepening communal divides in an already polarised environment.

Adding to the menace is the role of social media, which has become a powerful tool for amplifying cow vigilantism. Vigilante groups often document their actions—sometimes live-streaming assaults or sharing videos of violence—and circulate them online as propaganda. This digital spectacle not only normalises such behaviour but also desensitises the public to its brutality. By turning acts of violence into a form of communal performance, social media reinforces toxic narratives that encourage copycat incidents. The weaponisation of these platforms ensures that the reach and influence of vigilantes extend far beyond the immediate victims, further polarising society and stoking communal tensions.

The convergence of these factors—systemic failures, targeted communal violence, and the weaponisation of social media—has turned cow vigilantism into a potent threat to India’s constitutional values. It exposes weaknesses in law enforcement, highlights the misuse of religious sentiments for political gain, and demonstrates the alarming ease with which hate can be propagated in the digital age. Addressing this issue requires not only legal and institutional reforms but also a societal reckoning with the underlying prejudices and divisions that fuel such acts. Without decisive action, cow vigilantism will continue to erode the principles of justice, equality, and humanity that are fundamental to India’s democratic fabric.

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The post Spate of cow vigilantism in November 2024: Brutal assaults and legal impunity across North India appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Background

Migrant Worker Lynched in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana

On August 27, the migrant worker from West Bengal, 26-year-old Sabir Malik, working as a scrap dealer lynched by cow-vigilantes over suspicion of eating beef. While the incident took place at a village bus stand in Charkhi Dadri on August 27. It was reported that another migrant from Assam was also injured in this incident, brutally beaten by members of ‘cow vigilant groups’ in Haryana. Sabir is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter.

On August 27, a group of young men came to Sabir’s shop, a scrap dealer living in a slum area near Badhra village, and took Sabir to the local bus stand claiming that they had some scrap to dispose. The accused also called another migrant, Assam native Aseeruddin, to the bus stand and allegedly beat up the duo there. When passers-by intervened, they took the two to some other location on their motorcycles. Sabir was later found dead near a canal in Bhandwa village. Aseeruddin was found dumped at another location and is currently under treatment in hospital, reported The Hindu.

All accused are associated with the ‘Gau Raksha Dal’. However, on September 1 (Sunday), police have arrested eight accused in this incident, associated in the murder of Sabir. The police increased security in the area to prevent unrest or any untoward incident. The arrested individuals are identified as Abhishek, Ravinder, Mohit, Kamaljeet, and Sahil and others.

According to Hindustan Times, Badhra deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Bharat Bhushan the incident occurred on August 27 when cow vigilantes received information that a group of migrant workers from Assam, residing in Hansawas village, were suspected of consuming beef. They visited the area to investigate the matter.

“Sabir was also staying in the same village. During inspection, meat was found in utensils, which was sent to a laboratory to confirm if it was beef. Hours later, these youths called Sabir and his aide Aseeruddin to a shop in Badhra on the pretext of selling empty plastic bottles and started thrashing them. While Aseeruddin managed to flee, the accused took Malik to the nearby Bhandwa village and assaulted him again, as a result of which he died,” DSP Bhushan said.

The video of the incident has gone viral on social media where a mob can be seen beating two migrants’ workers with sticks on allegation of eating beef.

People revere cows, who can stop them: Haryana CM Saini

Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Sain while reacting to the incident said that there is no compromise on it as strict law has been passed by the Haryana Assembly on cow protection. He said that “It is not the right thing to say things like mob lynching as a strict law has been passed by the Haryana Assembly for cow protection. There is no compromise on it, such incidents shouldn’t happen and these are unfortunate.”  CM Saini stated that people in Haryana revere cows and if they sense any untoward situation.

While condemning the tragic incident of lynching, Saini said that people should not to get involved in such incidents. The CM further added that it’s not right to label such incidents as ‘mob lynching’, reported The Tribune.

However, Nuh Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed criticized the BJP rule-Haryana government over the incident and said that “There is nothing called law and order in Haryana. Anti-social element, goons and criminal are moving freely under the garb of cow protection and vigilantes.”

19-yr-old shot dead by cow vigilantes after 30-km car chase in Haryana

On August 24, a Class 12th student, identified as Aryan Mishra was shot dead in Haryana’s Faridabad after being suspicious of a cattle smuggler. The Victim, Aryan Mishra was chased for around 30 kilometres by a five-member group of “Gau Raksha Dal” before being killed him. All of the accused were subsequently arrested by the Faridabad Police.

As report in the Indian Express, on the night of August 23, 19-year-old Aryan went out with his friends Harshit and Shanky in an SUV for a meal. The gang, identified as cow vigilantes, during investigation told police that they had received information about cattle smugglers and mistakenly believed Aryan and his friends were involved. Faridabad Police arrested suspects Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, Adesh, and Saurav in this matter.

Aryan was killed because cow vigilante assumed he was Muslim

It was reported that Aryan Mishra was killed by the group because they believed Aryan was a Muslim, his mother has expressed sorrow and confusion. Aryan’s mother Uma Mishra while reacting on the question of the reason behind Aryan’s killing, she said “The accused mistook him as a Muslim and killed him. Why? Aren’t Muslims human?

Aryan’s mother further questioned that “Why do you need to kill Muslims?”

Link:

She is the mother of #AryanMishra, who was shot dead by #Hindutva extremists in #Faridabad, #Haryana.

She said her son was shot because he was mistaken for a #Muslim.

“Aren’t #Muslims our brothers? Why would they kill a Muslim? Who gave them the authority to kill a Muslim?” She… pic.twitter.com/eLueoN813t

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) September 4, 2024

Newslaundry reported that the Faridabad Police has rejected this theory of mistaken identity. ACP Aman Yadav insisted the incident merely a “claim of the media: and said that “the motive behind the murder has not yet been revealed”.

Accused Anil Kaushik said wanted a life like Monu Manesar

In a report by The Tribune, Anil Kaushik (38), the main accused in the killing of Aryan Mishra revealed during the police interrogation that he has always wanted a life like Monu Manesar (serial hate offender and accused of multiple mob lynching in Haryana and Rajasthan).

“Kaushik always wanted to be like Monu Manesar. He had tried many times to enter the core Bajrang Dal or Gau Raksha groups but was not taken seriously by them. He made his own Live for Nation Sangathan, a Faridabad cow vigilante group. Kaushik wanted social media following like Manesar and believed that if he managed to get one Bollywood-style chase and catch a cattle smuggler, he would make it. Kaushik would often get himself clicked with guns,” said one of his close associates now being probed by the Faridabad police.

However, multiple videos and photos circulated on social media revealing Kaushik’s nexus with Monu Manesar and his associates.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP government over violence against Muslims

While highlighting the recent mob lynching and assault incidents, Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has targeted the BJP government by posting on X regarding mob lynching. He said that such miscreants have been given a free hand in the BJP government.

He wrote on social media platform X that “Those who have climbed the ladder of power by using hatred as a political weapon are continuously establishing the rule of fear in the country. The hateful elements hiding in the form of the mob are openly spreading violence, challenging the rule of law. These miscreants have got a free hand from the BJP government, that is why they have developed the courage to do so.”

He further added that “there are continuous attacks on minorities, especially Muslims, and the government machinery is watching as a mute spectator. The authority of the law should be established by taking the strictest action against such anarchist elements. Any attack on the communal unity of India and the rights of Indians is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate at all. No matter how much the BJP tries – we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred at any cost.”

नफ़रत को राजनीतिक हथियार बनाकर सत्ता की सीढ़ी चढ़ने वाले देश भर में लगातार भय का राज स्थापित कर रहे हैं।

भीड़ की शक्ल में छिपे हुए नफरती तत्व कानून के राज को चुनौती देते हुए खुलेआम हिंसा फैला रहे हैं।

भाजपा सरकार से इन उपद्रवियों को खुली छूट मिली हुई है, इसीलिए उनमें ऐसा कर… pic.twitter.com/WDadyNn1Mt

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 1, 2024

Self-claimed cow vigilante and killing of innocents in Haryana

Haryana has witnessed yet another gruesome incident of mob lynching, highlighting the state’s alarming rise in vigilantism and police inaction. The incident underscores the failure of Haryana’s law enforcement agencies to prevent such atrocities. Critics point to the police’s tardy response and alleged collusion with extortion gangs, such as the notorious Monu Manser gang, which has been linked to several lynching incidents, the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, cited only as a justification for violence and cover up of the incidents in state committed by self-proclaimed ‘Gau Rakshak’.

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The post Haryana Horror: Migrant worker lynched and teenager fatally shot amid rising violence appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Vigilante groups, emboldened by perceived or real impunity, have taken the law into their own hands, leading to a series of brutal assaults and communal tensions across various states. These incidents not only violate individual rights but also exacerbate communal divisions, fuelling a climate of fear and hostility.

The political legitimisation of this far-right ideology in India has significantly influenced the increasing targeting of Muslims under the guise of cow protection. This ideology, which is rooted in a nationalist and exclusionary vision of India, often frames Muslims as outsiders or threats to the nation’s cultural and religious identity. Far-right groups have leveraged this narrative to justify acts of violence and discrimination against Muslims, portraying such actions as a defence of “Hindu values and traditions”. This ideological shift has emboldened vigilante groups, who now operate with a sense of legitimacy and impunity. Their actions are frequently portrayed as heroic or righteous under the banner of “cow protection,” a cause that has become a focal point for far-right mobilization.

The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in the Tehseen Poonawalla case, which was intended to curb such vigilantism and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals, appears to have had limited impact. Despite the Court’s clear directives to prevent and address instances of mob violence and unlawful harassment, the rise in incidents suggests a failure in implementing these guidelines effectively.

The Supreme Court’s directives, issued to address the growing concern of cow-related vigilantism, emphasized the need for robust measures to protect individuals from mob violence and ensure that law enforcement agencies uphold the rule of law. However, the increasing frequency and severity of these attacks indicate that the measures put in place have been insufficient or inadequately enforced. This has allowed vigilante groups to operate with relative impunity, exacerbating fears and insecurities among those targeted by such acts of violence.

See directives from Tehseen S. Poonawalla v Union of India (2018) judgement here.

August 2024

Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh (August 26): In a significant and disturbing incident, a police raid in Bijnor based on a tip-off about beef storage led to the death of a 55-year-old woman, Razia. Her family alleged that the police misbehaved during the raid, which they claim contributed to her death due to the stress inflicted. The police, however, contended that Razia suffered from asthma and that her death was unrelated to the raid. This incident has drawn attention to the conduct of law enforcement during such operations and the need for a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death. As per media reports, an inquiry is underway to determine the role of the informant who triggered the raid and to assess the police’s actions during the operation.

Bhilwara, Rajasthan (August 25): In Bhilwara, tensions erupted when a severed cow’s tail was discovered near a temple, leading to violent protests by Hindutva groups. The subsequent attacks on Muslim homes and shops, including physical assaults on two Muslim individuals, reflect the volatile nature of cow-related disputes and their potential to escalate into communal violence. The destruction and violence inflicted during these protests highlight the urgent need for effective measures to manage and de-escalate such communal flashpoints.

Alwar, Rajasthan (August 21): The assault of a truck driver by cow vigilantes in Alwar, led by offender Monu Manesar’s associates, exemplifies the growing boldness of these groups. The brutal beating, captured on social media, not only shows the physical violence perpetrated but also highlights the broader issue of impunity enjoyed by vigilante groups. The increasing frequency of such attacks raises concerns about the adequacy of legal protections for individuals accused of cattle transportation.

July 2024

Sehore, Madhya Pradesh (July 29): The brutal assault of an individual named Lalluram Lohar by cow vigilantes, who accused him of cow smuggling, further illustrates the escalating violence against individuals involved in cattle trade. The discrepancy between the vigilantes’ accusations and Lohar’s account, where he claimed to have been lured into buying the cattle, underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding and investigation of such incidents.

Pali, Rajasthan (July 22-23): The assault on a truck driver in Pali by cow vigilantes, who were angered by the transportation of buffaloes, highlights the increasing aggression of these groups. The vandalism of the truck and the physical assault on the driver, part of the video made available on social media, reflects the severe consequences faced by those involved in cattle transportation, further underscoring the need for law enforcement to address and curb such violence.

Palsana, Baleshwar, Surat, Gujarat (July 20): In Surat, cow vigilantes assaulted a man accused of cattle slaughter and tied him up with a belt. This incident, caught in a video, illustrates the extreme measures vigilantes are willing to take. The lack of immediate legal recourse for such individuals exacerbates their vulnerability.

Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan (July 19): The assault on a truck driver in Pushkar by cow vigilantes represents yet another instance of violence tied to cattle transportation. The brutal nature of the attack and the apparent targeting of individuals involved in cattle trade reflect a broader pattern of vigilantism that demands urgent intervention.

Sirohi, Madhya Pradesh (July 19): The assault of truck drivers by VHP-affiliated cow vigilantes in Sirohi, conducted in the presence of police officers, highlights the problematic relationship between vigilante groups and law enforcement. The failure of police to intervene effectively in such situations undermines public trust in the legal system and emboldens vigilante groups.

Pali, Rajasthan (July 18-19): An elderly truck driver was attacked by cow vigilantes in another incident in Pali, demonstrating the indiscriminate nature of these attacks. The use of sticks and verbal abuse against an elderly individual not only raises concerns about the brutality of these groups but also about the lack of protection for vulnerable individuals in such situations.

Fazilka, Punjab (July 13): The raid by Bajrang Dal members on a Muslim home in Fazilka, accusing the owner of cow slaughter, reflects ongoing communal tensions and the misuse of cow protection narratives for targeting minority communities. The denial of communal motives by police does not mitigate the impact of such raids on community relations.

Sonipat, Haryana (July 10): The dangerous chase and subsequent accident involving a truck transporting cattle, orchestrated by cow vigilantes using spike strips, highlights the reckless and hazardous behaviour of these groups. This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to prevent such dangerous practices. 

Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir (July 4): The assault on Ramesh Kumar by cow vigilantes after an accident involving a calf highlights the extreme and violent responses to perceived cattle-related offenses. The public outcry and demand for justice reflect the broader societal implications of such vigilantism and the urgent need for effective legal protections.

Parasia, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh (July 2): The brutal assault of two Muslim truck drivers by VHP-Bajrang Dal members in Parasia, followed by the filing of cases against the victims, underscores a disturbing pattern of bias and violence. The lack of accountability for the assailants and the adverse legal consequences faced by the victims reveals systemic issues in the enforcement of laws related to cattle. 

Urgent Need for Effective Legal amendments and implementation of judicial directives

The impact of this far-right ideology extends beyond societal violence to the functioning of law enforcement and the judiciary. Police forces and legal institutions, influenced by the prevailing “nationalist” sentiment, often exhibit bias in their handling of these cases. Reports suggest that law enforcement agencies, swayed by the dominant political and ideological currents, are increasingly reluctant to take decisive action against vigilantes or protect the victims of such violence. This reluctance stems from a combination of political pressure, ideological alignment, and fear of backlash from powerful far-right factions. Consequently, the failure to enforce the law impartially undermines the justice system’s effectiveness and emboldens those who seek to perpetrate violence under the guise of protecting religious and cultural values. This intersection of ideology and law enforcement not only perpetuates violence but also deepens communal divisions, challenging the principles of justice and equality in Indian society.

The increasing incidents of cow-related vigilantism over the past two months of 2024 illustrate a disturbing trend of escalating violence and communal tension across India. These incidents, ranging from brutal assaults to dangerous chases and communal riots, reflect a broader failure to enforce legal protections and address the root causes of such violence. The Supreme Court’s directives aimed at curbing such vigilantism and safeguarding marginalized communities have not been effectively implemented, allowing vigilante groups to operate with impunity.

The recurring nature of these incidents, coupled with inadequate legal and law enforcement responses, highlights the urgent need for the implementation of judicial directions and amendments to those laws that directly or indirectly promote of legitimise vigilantism. Ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals and upholding the rule of law must be prioritized to prevent further escalation of violence and to restore trust in the legal system. The implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives and the strengthening of legal safeguards are essential steps towards achieving justice and ensuring the safety of all individuals, irrespective of their background or involvement in cattle-related activities.

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The post 2024: Cow vigilantism escalates in July and August with rumour-driven raids and violent assaults on Muslim while legal consequences for perpetrators missing? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The lone survivor has recounted that a mob of 14-15 people attacked them. Two people travelling with him, with one of them being his brother. Their bodies were then thrown from a bridge onto a riverbed. To save his own life, the survivor says he jumped off the bridge himself.

Those who died are reportedly young Muslim men named Chand Miyan, 23, and Guddu Khan, 35. The injured person is named Saddam Qureshi. All of these men were workers from Uttar Pradesh. A harrowing 57-second video of the survivor is circulating widely on social media which shows the survivor, barely conscious in his hospital bed.

Reports indicate that these vigilantes attacked the truck because they suspected the truck drivers of smuggling cows. They chased the Chhattisgarh-registered truck from Patewa along the Mahasamund-Arang Road, approximately 70 kilometres from Raipur, and stopped it on a bridge over the Mahanadi River, where they started assaulting the men.

Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh has told the media that an FIR has been registered regarding the incident. As per reports on NDTV, a senior official has stated that so far, there is no evidence to point towards the idea it was a case of mob lynching, and autopsy reports are still awaited.

The body of one of the victims reportedly showed multiple fractures, with one foot severely damaged.

NDTV has also reported that the truck found near the bridge has been ‘seized’, and the police have put the animals in an animal shelter.

The assault took place between 2am and 3am. The police came to the site after an hour. Raipur ASP Kirtan Rathore informed reporters that upon arrival, one person was already deceased. The two surviving victims were transported to a community health centre, where the second person later succumbed to his injuries.

According to Bhaskar News, Shoaib, the brother of Saddam Qureshi, who was injured in the mob lynching incident in Chhattisgarh, stated “Saddam was groaning in pain and saying, ‘Brother, my leg is broken.’ He even asked for water, but the attackers continued to beat him.”

Times of India has reported that the wife of one of the deceased, Guddu, who is pregnant has been in shock ever since she heard the news.

In other news, trucks carrying goats for the sacrifice on Eid-ul-Zuha were reportedly attacked by the cow vigilantes in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Trucks carrying animals for #Eid-Ul-Adha were stopped by #Hindutva organisations amid #JaiShriRam slogans creating tense situation in #Paldi area of #Ahmedabad, #Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/tVfb3LRuOY

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) June 11, 2024

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The post Two dead, one injured after truck carrying cattle chased and attacked in Chhattisgarh appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Misri Khan Baloch was one such victim of a crime which local rights groups and family of the dead have called a targeted lynching. Among the accused are Akhiraj Singh and other men who are reportedly associated with cow vigilante groups and hold a previous record as well.

The incident took place while he was transporting buffaloes in a pickup van when a group of men who are reportedly cow vigilantes stopped the van by throwing iron nails on the ground and puncturing the tires. After it stopped they first tried to forcibly get money from him and his companion, demanding rupees 2 lakh. After they said they don’t have money, the men started beating them. The driver of the van managed to escape.

However, the situation became deadly for Misri as a mob gathered around the vehicle and started beating him up. He was beaten with iron rods and sticks on his head which soon led to his death.

The police, as per report by Indian Express, have refused to recognise it as a case of mob lynching, with Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana, saying, “This incident is not a mob lynching. For an incident to be considered a mob lynching, it would need to have a communal aspect. It appears that the accused did not intend to murder but rather intimidate the deceased.”

The Indian Express has noted that Akheraj, one of the accused, has also been implicated in a similar matter of mob lynching in Banaskantha in July 2023 when a Muslim man named Umaid Baloch was similarly beaten by cow vigilantes, one of whom is a co-accused here.

According to a report in Two Circles, the driver who is also an eyewitness has stated the following in his complaint, naming the attackers as well, “At around 5 am, Mishrikhan, Jume Khan, our mother Biki and I set out in my pickup truck to the market in Gawadi. We noticed that a Scorpio was chasing us. Inside the SUV were Akheraj Singh Prabat Singh and others from Vatamwala. They were threatening to kill us.”

Two of the five accused have been detained after the police filed an FIR under sections of 302 (murder), 341 (wrongful restraint), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against five people Akherajsinh Parbatsinh Vaghela, Nikulsinh, Jagatsinh, Pravinsinh and Hamirbhai Thakor.

Misri Khan was a 40-year-old Muslim labourer and part-time farmer from Sesan Nava village and the breadwinner for his family.

An organisation called the Minority Coordination Committee Gujarat has called out the killing of Misri Khan as a case of mob lynching. The group has urged the Director General of Police to follow guidelines on mob lynching’s laid out by the Supreme Court.

In the 2018 verdict the Supreme Court, with a bench of Justice Deepak Mishra, A.M. Khanwalikar and DY Chandrachud, had directed states to all take preventive and proactive action against mob lynching, hate crimes, etc.

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