‘Cow Vigilantes’ Thrash Two Muslim Men in Madhya Pradesh, Police Arrests Victims

The police have charged the victims under the cow slaughter prohibition act.

In yet another incident of cow-related mob violence, a group of cow ‘vigilantes’ thrashed two Muslim men on suspicion of transporting beef in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday, July 14.

As per a report in The Indian Express, right-wing goons and bystanders stopped a vehicle near Kesarbaug bridge in the morning and beat up two men, while a third person in the vehicle managed to escape.

The victims — Nadim and Imran — both in their 20s, were later arrested by the police and charged under the anti-cow slaughter law. Inspector Sunil Sharma of the Rajendranagar Police Station told IE that a veterinarian had confirmed that they were carrying beef. He claimed that the victims were unhurt.

The Congress government in the state has proposed an amendment to the anti-cow slaughter act, to penalise those who engage in violence against anyone booked under the act. A fine of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and a jail term of six months has been proposed against such persons.

Instances of mob violence, particularly those against Muslims, continue unabated. While some of these hate crimes are cow-related, in the last few months, right-wing groups have attacked Muslims and forced them to repeat the Hindu chant of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.