By CJP Team
Over the past decade, India has witnessed a disturbing rise in incidents where cow vigilantes, often emboldened by right-wing ideologies, have taken law enforcement into their own hands, targeting marginalised communities, particularly Muslims. These groups, self-styled as protectors of cows, have been responsible for numerous acts of violence, often justified under the guise of cow protection. Their actions not only lead to physical harm — brute death and lynching—but also generate an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among minority communities. Alarmingly, these groups operate with impunity, often facing no repercussions for their violent behaviour.
The following six incidents, escalating in severity, provide a chilling reflection of this growing menace.
Details of the incidents
- 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.
- 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.
This story was originally published in sabrangindia.in. Read the full story here.