Another shocking incident involving alleged cow vigilantes was reported in the Uttar Pradesh city of Aligarh.  A group of self-styled cow protectors stopped a pickup vehicle on suspicion of carrying beef and began a ruckus. The incident took place in the Kudh Fatehgarh area of Aligarh District. Eyewitnesses said members of Hindu groups and Gau Rakshaks surrounded the pickup and accused the driver and others of transporting beef.

They pushed and abused the men inside the vehicle. However, upon checking the pickup, the police found it was carrying waste remains of chicken and fish, not beef. The remains were being collected from local shops to be dumped. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the video, a police officer can be heard scolding the driver and his companions for the foul smell.  

People in the minority community, especially Muslims, have expressed fear and concern. “It is becoming dangerous to even work honestly,” said Abdul Karim, a local. “Anyone can be accused, and then beaten or killed.” This was not an isolated case. Just a few days earlier, on 25 May, four Muslim men were attacked in Alhaddapur under the Harduaganj police station.

Hindu group members claiming to be Gau Rakshaks stopped their vehicle and beat them brutally, suspecting them of transporting beef. The vehicle was also set on fire. Police said they had valid documents and receipts from a meat factory. They were seriously injured in the attack. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)