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]]>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
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]]>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
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
Uttarakhand High Court orders security, condemns hate speech over Uttarkashi Mosque
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]]>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.
Related:
November 2024 Surge in Cow Vigilantism: Rising Violence and Legal Apathy in North India
Muslims in the new India: How one week showcases their escalating persecution
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]]>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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]]>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
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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Mob Lynching in 2020: Misleading Exception than a Norm
Remembering 15-Year-Old Junaid A Year After He Was Lynched
The Idea Of India in the times of Mob Lynchings
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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.
]]>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.
In #UttarPradesh‘s #Bijnor, a police team conducted a raid acting on a tip-off that beef was stored in the house.
A 55-year-old woman died allegedly during the raid. Family claims the policemen misbehaved with the elderly victim.
Police didn’t find any “objectionable” edible… pic.twitter.com/NBA77QLUy9
— Hate Detector
In UP’s Bijnor, a police team conducted a raid acting on a tip-off that beef was stored in the house. A 55-year-old woman died allegedly during the raid. Family claims the policemen misbehaved with the elderly victim. Police didn’t find any “objectionable” edible content in the… pic.twitter.com/kpR7oTFyEi
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 28, 2024
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.
In #Rajasthan‘s #Bhilwara, stones were pelted on the houses of #Muslims and shops were vandalised as #Hindutva outfits were protesting after a severed tail of a cow was found near a temple on Sunday. Two Muslims were also thrashed. pic.twitter.com/oyIa9peunM
— Hate Detector
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.
In #MadhyaPradesh‘s #Sehore, a man named Lalluram Lohar was brutally assaulted by cow vigilantes when he was coming with oxen.
The police said that the victim was beaten up over the suspicion of cow smuggling while the family said he was lured to buy the cattle from a market. pic.twitter.com/x7FZqn8mI0
— Hate Detector
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.
In #MadhyaPradesh‘s #Sirohi, Cow vigilantes affiliated to #VHP assaulted truck drivers transporting cattle on July 19.
The drivers were abused and beaten by the so call Gau Rakhshak goons in the presence of Policemen. pic.twitter.com/8U1dKLLvGl
— Hate Detector
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.
Cow vigilantes thrashed driver Ramesh Kumar who accidentally hit a cow calf lying on road while driving at night, due to which the calf died in #Kathua, #JammuAndKashmir.
Ramesh Kumar was then pulled out of the car and beaten brutally by the group of men, Ramesh is currently… pic.twitter.com/1721O9seLV
— Hate Detector
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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CJP impact! CJP legal team aid Ranjina Bibi, defy all odds to prove her citizenship
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]]>The post Two dead, one injured after truck carrying cattle chased and attacked in Chhattisgarh 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
Related:
Repeat offender among suspects in lynching of Muslim man in Gujarat
Targeting Muslims in Ramzan: Lynching, assault, harassment mar the holy month in India
Telangana: Transgender individual brutally lynched by mob in Nizamabad
West Bengal: 3 Muslim men lynched in two separate incidents over past 3 days
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]]>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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Cow vigilantes chase truck, tie up Muslim truck driver, and associate
Elections And The Future Of The Gyanvapi Masjid
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]]>A harrowing video allegedly from the incident shows young men in two big cars can following a truck. The video was recorded by one of the people in the cars and shows a young man emerge from the video of the speeding car and gesture and hoot loudly at the truck. Apart from this video, uploaded on X’s, formerly Twitter, Hate Detector’s page, a truck which is turned upside down can be seen and alongside it, two young men can be seen tied up on the ground, with one of the men surrounding them holding the string.
This is from #SamruddhiMahamarg, #Nagpur, #Maharashtra.
Cow vigilantes dangerously chased a truck transporting cattle resulting in an accident. A #Muslim driver and another occupant were then tied with ropes and later handed over to police. pic.twitter.com/BcXCeciMti
— Hate Detector
In January 2024, in response to a petition, the Supreme Court had directed state governments to inform the court about the actions taken regarding incidents of mob lynching and cow vigilante violence. The bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Aravind Kumar, and Sandeep Mehta were hearing on a plea which was seeking directions to states to address incidents of lynching and mob violence against Muslims by cow vigilantes in the country.
The PIL also sought to guarantee a base amount allotted to victims of this kind of violence, keeping in mind the gravity of injury, loss of livelihood, and legal and medical expenses etc. In June 2023, after a Muslim man had been lynched to death by cow vigilantes who suspected him of transporting beef in Nasik, the speaker of the Maharashtra assembly, Rahul Narwekar, had also asked the police to maintain strict vigilance in sensitive areas.
There have been several such incidents of cow vigilantism targeting Muslims over the years in Maharashtra. The mode of operation seems to be similar in several of these cases where the victims are attacked while transporting meat or cattle on highways in the state. In one such case from 2021, it was seen that a local organisation, called the Akhil Bhartiya Krishi Gauseva Sangh, would receive information of such a truck and there onwards would go ahead to it. One name that has been reportedly common in several instance of vigilante violence is Shiv Shankar Swami. Swami, a government appointed “honorary animal welfare officer”, as per Al Jazeera, has reportedly told such vigilantes the phrase “kill the landyas.” He is termed as a ‘Gauraksha activist’ and has interestingly been under police protection since 2015. According to Reuters, there is a huge network of cow vigilantes across India. The report quotes a government official even saying, on the condition of anonymity, that even politicians are afraid of these vigilante network.
Related:
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UP Bajrang Dal leader and 3 others arrested for slaughtering cows to falsely implicate a Muslim man
Muslim youth shot dead by police for alleged intentions of slaughtering a cow
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]]>According to reports, Nawaz was transporting two bulls, a buffalo calf, and a cow from Babaleshwar to Vijayapura when the attackers, who is reported to be associated with Bajrang Dal leaders Viresh Hiremath and Raju Biradara, came to his truck and a case has been registered against them.
As per a report in Siasat News, Nawaz’s body in the video shows severe wounds and visible blood stains. At the same time, a case has been reported to the Babaleshwar police station regarding the attack, and the authorities are currently investigating the incident.
This is not the first time cattle traders belonging to the Muslim community have faced an attack in the region.
In April 2023, Idrees Pasha a 39 year old cattle trader was fatally attacked by cow vigilantes in Karnataka’s Ramanagara region on April 1, as per report. He was found dead after the truck he was travelling in with two other people was attacked. He had reportedly passed away due to a cardiac arrest, as per initial findings from a post-mortem examination, as stated by police sources. The police following the incident arrest five suspects. Zaheer, one of the persons who was attacked was charged under the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 He was taken to the police station by Puneeth Kerehalli. Kerehalli is reportedly an activist and was absconding after Pasha’s death was reported. He has so far denied involvement in the incident even though it was reportedly that he was the one who led the attack against Pasha. Pasha’s family has alleged that he had burn marks on his body, which indicate that he may have been brutally tortured before he died.
Similarly, in August, 2023, a group of Muslims who were reportedly cattle traders were attacked by members of the Sri Ram Sena in Karnataka’s Bidar. Several people were injured before the police intervened and stopped the situation from getting worse. The Sri Ram Sena had claimed that the cows were being transported illegally to a slaughterhouse. In the same year, a month later in September, the organisation Sri Ram Sene had made alleged cattle smugglers hold the heads of cows and pose for photographs and utter ‘Jai Sri Ram’, in Doddaballapura near Bengaluru This incident, according to The NewsMinute, took place soon after Sri Ram Sena head Pramod Muthalik gave a speech which many residents and police officials say could be the cause for the incident.
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Report card: BJP and crimes against women
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