By sabrangindia
Cow vigilantism, a growing menace in India, has serious repercussions for communal harmony, rule of law, and fundamental rights. Cow vigilante groups, often emboldened by political support and societal acceptance, justify their actions under the guise of protecting cows, an animal considered sacred by many Hindus. However, these actions frequently involve violence, harassment, and even fatalities, disproportionately targeting Muslims and Dalits. Such incidents not only disrupt social cohesion but also reveal systemic failures, including police complicity, legislative loopholes, and a lack of accountability.
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.
https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/794
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.
https://t.me/hindutvawatchin/910
This story was originally published in sabrangindia.in. Read the full story here.
