– Raheem Khan
7 July 2024: A delegation from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and the All India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWU) on Friday visited two villages in Uttar Pradesh on Friday to meet the families of three Muslim youths allegedly murdered by Hindutva cow vigilantes in Chhattisgarh last month.
The victims, Chand Miyan Khan, Saddam Qureshi, and Tehsim Qureshi, were killed near the Mahanadi River bridge in Raipur Rural district on June 7, just days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a third term in the Lok Sabha elections. The delegation visited Lakhnauti village in Saharanpur district and Banat village in Shamli district, where the families of the deceased reside.
The families have accused the BJP-led governments in both Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh of failing to provide assistance or compensation. The AIKS delegation distributed cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to the families and demanded strict action against the perpetrators. They also called for compensation of Rs. 50 lakh and government jobs for the next of kin.
The delegation included AIKS president Dr. Ashok Dhawale, general secretary Vijoo Krishnan, and other prominent members. UP Kisan Sabha leaders were also present during the visit.
The incident has sparked outrage among Muslim communities and human rights activists, who accuse the BJP and its affiliates of promoting religious violence. The police have arrested four people, including a local BJP youth leader, in connection with the case. The investigation is ongoing.
