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.

The following six incidents, escalating in severity, provide a chilling reflection of this growing menace.

 Details of the incidents

1. Lakhisarai, Bihar – October 15, 2024

In the first incident, members of the Bajrang Dal intercepted a pick-up truck that happened to be transporting cattle. Without any evidence, they accused the drivers of smuggling cattle to Bangladesh, a common and baseless allegation leveraged by vigilantes across the country. The drivers faced harassment and intimidation before being handed over to the police. This incident exemplifies how vigilante groups don the garb of stormtroopers,  taking the law into their own hands. Despite the lack of evidence for their claims, the Bajrang Dal members have faced no consequences for their actions, highlighting the growing normalisation of such behaviour. Worse regimes in power with the same ideology allow such violence unchecked.

 

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2. Surajgarha, Lakhisarai, Bihar – October 16, 2024

Just a day later, in the same district, Bajrang Dal members once again resorted to violence. Truck drivers transporting buffaloes near a police station were assaulted and robbed by the vigilantes. They reported that their money and mobile phones were stolen during the attack. The fact that this assault occurred so close to law enforcement underscores a disturbing trend: even in the presence of police, cow vigilantes feel empowered to act violently, reflecting a serious breakdown of law and order.

 

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3. Kaliabar, Assam – October 16, 2024

On the same day in Assam, four Muslim drivers were attacked by locals who accused them of being ‘cow thieves’. Despite having receipts for the cows purchased from local markets, the drivers faced assault and were later handed over to the police. The disregard for legal documentation and the swift resort to violence not only reflects the vigilantes’ sense of entitlement but also raises serious concerns about the accountability of local law enforcement, which failed to protect the victims or investigate the accusations thoroughly.

4. Renukoot, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh – October 18, 2024

In Renukoot, members of a right-wing group apprehended two men, accusing them of transporting beef. Once again, the victims were handed over to the police without any due process. This incident is illustrative of a broader pattern where mere allegations are sufficient for vigilantes to act violently against individuals from minority communities, disregarding their rights and legal protections. Such incidents not only undermine individual liberties but also perpetuate communal tensions across regions.

5. Karnal, Haryana – October 20, 2024

Bajrang Dal members in Karnal stopped a truck they falsely accused of smuggling cows and called the police. Upon investigation, police found the truck had all necessary documentation, and there were no illegal activities occurring. In this rare instance, police warned the Bajrang Dal members to differentiate between truth and falsehood. However, this kind of police action remains an exception; the consistent failure of law enforcement to challenge the actions of vigilante groups raises significant concerns about their complicity in such incidents.

6. Mhasane, Parner Taluka, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra – October 20, 2024

The most brutal of the six incidents occurred in Maharashtra, where a group of cow vigilantes apprehended two Muslim cattle traders. In a shocking display of violence, the traders were stripped, brutally beaten, and publicly humiliated before being handed over to the police. Their vehicle was vandalised, and the 52 cattle they were transporting were seized and sent to a local gaushala (cow shelter). This incident starkly illustrates the extent of violence that cow vigilantes are willing to inflict, showcasing a deep-seated culture of dehumanisation and targeting of minorities under the pretext of cow protection.

The emerging pattern: Vigilantism and impunity

These six incidents are not isolated; they represent a growing trend across India where cow protection has become a convenient pretext for targeting minorities, particularly Muslims. The attackers in these incidents are frequently linked to right-wing groups like the Bajrang Dal, which, under the banner of cow protection, have unleashed violence with little fear of prosecution.

BJP governments in power in the state and centre have allowed such targeted violence, unchecked. The political opposition is reluctant to raise these issues with the rigour they deserve.

What is deeply troubling is the apparent complicity of law enforcement in many of these cases. Instead of upholding the law, police forces either allow vigilante groups to act with impunity or, worse, enable them by handing over innocent people to the police after assaulting them. In cases like those in Karnal and Kaliabar, where documentation proved that no wrongdoing occurred, the vigilantes still faced no legal consequences. This emboldens such groups to continue their illegal activities, fostering a climate of fear and violence.

Despite the rising number of such incidents, there has been little to no action taken against the perpetrators. The government’s silence, coupled with the police’s reluctance to act, signals a worrying acceptance or endorsement of these violent acts. There has been no strong condemnation or steps to curb cow vigilantism, which points to a larger systemic issue where communal divisions are being deepened through acts of violence masked as protection of cows.

India’s legal system provides clear procedures for dealing with cattle-related offenses, but vigilante groups have undermined these processes, creating their own form of mob justice. This trend is not just a matter of individual incidents; it signifies a growing challenge to the rule of law and the social fabric of India.

The price of vigilantism: A call for accountability

The six incidents recounted here are not just isolated acts of violence—they are part of a larger, growing trend of cow vigilantism in India, where law and order are being subverted by right-wing groups. The lack of accountability, the inaction of law enforcement, and the silence of the government are creating an environment where such violence thrives. Without urgent intervention, this trend threatens to deepen communal divides and undermine the rule of law across the country.

As these incidents continue to rise, it is imperative for civil society, legal experts, and human rights advocates to demand accountability from both the government and law enforcement. The time has come to restore the rule of law, protect the rights of marginalised communities, and ensure that no individual is subjected to violence or humiliation based on their identity. The question remains: how many more incidents must occur before there is a collective acknowledgment of the threat posed by vigilante groups to the democratic and secular fabric of India?

Related:

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

MP diverted SC/ST welfare funds for cow welfare, atrocities against Dalits reported across country

Tension flare as mob alleges cow slaughter in Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh too witnesses similar mob action

Five BJP run states see spiral in targeted anti-Muslim violence, cow vigilantism and assaults reported

The post Mob rule: The surge of cow vigilantism threatening minority livelihoods appeared first on SabrangIndia.

गुजरात में दलितों के मरी गायें उठाने से इन्कार करने के बाद स्थिति लगातार गंभीर होती जा रही है। अहमदाबाद और आसपास के इलाकों में दलित किसी भी कीमत पर मरी गायों की लाशें उठाने को तैयार नहीं है। ऊना में मरी गायों की चमड़ी निकाल रहे दलितों की पिटाई के बाद से नाराज दलित अब अड़े हैं कि वो किसी भी कीमत पर मरी गायें नहीं उठाएँगे।

गुजरात के सबसे बड़े शहर अहमदाबाद में कई इलाकों में गायें मरी पड़ी हैं, लेकिन उन्हें उठाने के लिए कोई तैयार नहीं है।

ऊना में दलितों की पिटाई का वीडियो जारी होने के बाद पूरे राज्य में दलितों में गहरी नाराजगी फैल गई थी। पीटे गए चार में से एक युवक के पिता कहते हैं- हम भूखे मर जाएँगे, लेकिन अब मरी गायें नहीं उठाएँगे। ये अब हमारे स्वाभिमान की लड़ाई है।

मरी गायें न उठाने के अभियान की शुरुआत करने वाले सोमाभाई युकाभाई कहते हैं कि हमारे दलित भाइयों को उस काम को करने पर बुरी तरह से पीटा गया था जिसे वो सदियों से करते आ रहे थे। अब हम लोग ये काम करना ही नहीं चाहते।

जिस गुजरात के विकास और साफ-सफाई के मॉडल को प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी और भारतीय जनता पार्टी लगातार आदर्श के रूप में पेश करते रहे हैं, वो अब गंदगी का ढेर होता जा रहा है। एक तरफ गुजरात के विकास की पोल खुल रही है, वहीं दूसरी ओर भाजपा अपना जनाधार भी तेजी से खोती जा रही है। दलित और पिछड़े तो भाजपा से बेहद नाराज हैं ही, साथ ही सबसे ताकतवर और संख्याबल में ज्यादा पाटीदार समुदाय भी भाजपा सरकार को उखाड़ फेंकने को तत्पर बैठा है।

ऊना कांड के बारे में अब साफ हो चुका है कि दलितों को बिना वजह पीटा गया था और वे केवल मरी गायों की चमड़ी निकाल रहे थे। हिंदुत्ववादियों ने उन पर गौहत्या का झूठा आरोप लगाकर उनकी पिटाई की थी। हमलावरों के खिलाफ पुलिस एफआईआर दर्ज करने पर भी मजबूर हुई है।
 
दलितों के आंदोलन के बाद से तो भाजपा को आनंदीबेन पटेल को मुख्यमंत्री पद से ही हटाना पड़ गया। उनके बाद विजय रूपाणी को मुख्यमंत्री बनाया गया है लेकिन उनका प्रशासन बिलकुल असरहीन साबित हो रहा है।  मोदी और अमित शाह के गृहराज्य में पार्टी की हालत खस्ता होने के कारण ये दोनों अब आसन्न चुनावों वाले राज्यों- उत्तर प्रदेश और पंजाब में भी ज्यादा ध्यान नहीं दे पा रहे हैं।
 
 

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