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
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.
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.
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?
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