In yet another horrifying incident of communal violence in Modi’s India, a 32-year-old Muslim youth was brutally lynched in Bhilwara area of BJP-ruled Rajasthan state by self-proclaimed Hindutva cow vigilantes who falsely accused him of being a cattle smuggler. The victim identified as Sheru Susadiya, a resident of Multanpura in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district, was with his associate, Mohsin Dol, when they purchased a bull at Bhilwara's Lambiya cattle fair and were on their way back home. 

According to the FIR filed by Sheru’s cousin, Manzoor Pemla, a silver camper vehicle began following their pickup truck. The vehicle overtook them and blocked their path, with several Hindutva men on motorcycles soon joining the attack.  The assailants dragged both Sheru and Mohsin from their vehicle and began beating them mercilessly, accusing them of cow slaughter.

Despite their attempts to clarify that the bull had been legally purchased at the fair, the mob ignored their pleas. The police complaint named several individuals, including Deva Gurjar, Kunal Malpura, Pradeep Rajpurohit, and Nitesh Saini, as the perpetrators. While Mohsin managed to escape and hide, Sheru was severely assaulted. After battling for three days, Sheru succumbed to his injuries at Jaipur's SMS Hospital.

Sheru leaves behind his wife and two young children, and the community is left mourning his loss. This tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about the rising incidents of mob violence in the name of cow protection, further heightening concerns about the safety of minorities in BJP-ruled states. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)