Palwal, Haryana, Sep 5: The mother of Aryan Mishra, a 19-year-old Class XII student, is grappling with profound grief and anger after her son was tragically killed by members of the Bajrang Dal, who mistook him for a Muslim “cow smuggler.” The incident occurred on August 23 near the Gadpuri toll plaza on NH-19 in Haryana’s Palwal district, reported the Siasat.
Uma Mishra, Aryan’s mother, in a poignant statement, questioned the motives behind the brutal attack, asking, “Are Muslims not human? Are they not our brothers? Why would you kill a Muslim?” Her emotional words have resonated widely, with a video of her statement going viral online.
The tragedy unfolded as Aryan was driving near the Gadpuri toll plaza when he was chased by a group of cow vigilantes, led by Anil Kaushik, a local Hindutva leader and notorious “cow protector.” The group pursued Aryan’s car for approximately 50 kilometers before fatally shooting him. In a shocking revelation, Kaushik reportedly told Aryan’s father, Siyanand Mishra, that the group initially believed Aryan was a Muslim and “now regrets killing a Brahmin.”
This revelation has further enraged Uma, who continues to question the attackers’ disregard for human life. “Many Muslims in our vicinity protect us, and I see them as brothers,” she said, underscoring the deep sense of loss and confusion over the senseless killing.
Kaushik, who has a notorious reputation for his anti-Muslim activities and is often referred to as the “Monu Manesar of Faridabad,” expressed regret for the murder during a jail visit by Aryan’s father. Kaushik reportedly sought forgiveness, stating, “He said he thought my son was a Muslim. Now he regrets killing a Brahmin.” Siyanand Mishra, Aryan’s father, criticized Kaushik’s actions, questioning why the group would resort to violence over mere suspicion. “Why would you kill a Muslim? Only because of a cow? You could have shot at the car wheel or called the police. Why take the law into your own hands?” Mishra reportedly asked, but received no satisfactory response.
The brutal killing has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups and human rights organizations, who are demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The accused, identified as Anil Kaushik, Varun Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Adesh Singh, and Saurav Kumar, have been arrested under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges of murder and unlawful assembly.
As the community mourns Aryan’s loss, his mother’s haunting question – “Are Muslims not human?” – echoes as a stark reminder of the deep-seated divisions and rising violence in society.
