Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh – In yet another incident of rising cow vigilantism, members of the far-right Bajrang Dal allegedly attacked two Muslim truck drivers on March 18, accusing them of smuggling cows. The victims were brutally beaten, and a video of the assault surfaced online, showing them being forced to chant slogans like “Gau hamari mata hai, gau rakshaks hamara baap” (Cows are our mothers, cow protectors are our fathers), reported the Siasat.
The individual filming the attack questioned the possibility of communal harmony, making provocative remarks against the victims. The incident has triggered outrage, with activists and civil society groups condemning the growing impunity of cow vigilantes in BJP-ruled states.
Cow-related violence has seen a sharp rise over the last decade, with Muslims being disproportionately targeted. However, in a shocking turn of events in February, a similar assault took place in Haryana’s Palwal district, where cow vigilantes attacked two Hindu men—Balkishan and Sandeep—accusing them of cattle smuggling. Despite seeking help from the police, the victims were allegedly handed over to vigilantes who inflicted brutal injuries, leading to Sandeep’s death.
This alarming pattern of mob justice highlights the increasing lawlessness in the name of cow protection. Rights groups are demanding urgent action to curb such violence, warning of its dangerous implications for communal harmony in India.
