Alleged Cow Vigilante Attack in Maharashtra: Two Muslim Men Claim They Were Forced to Eat Cow Dung
Victims allege assault and humiliation by a cow vigilante group in Karad; the issue has been raised in the Maharashtra Assembly.
Karad, Maharashtra: A serious allegation of mob violence has emerged from Karad in Maharashtra, where two Muslim men claim they were assaulted and humiliated by members of a self-proclaimed cow vigilante group while legally transporting buffaloes.
The victims, identified as Wali Mohammad Shabbir and Rehan Quraishi, are residents of the Mankhurd–Shivaji Nagar Assembly constituency in Mumbai.
According to their account, the incident took place near the Ambe Village police station area in Karad. The men say they were transporting buffaloes legally when a group of individuals, allegedly linked to the Bajrang Dal, stopped their vehicle.
The victims claim the group detained them, searched their vehicle, and then physically assaulted them. They allege that they were beaten severely and subjected to humiliating treatment during the attack.
In a particularly disturbing claim, the men say they were forced to eat cow dung. They also allege that the attackers shouted slogans against Allah and the Quran and used religiously abusive language during the incident.
The victims believe they were targeted because of their Muslim identity and have described the attack as motivated by religious hatred. Videos reportedly related to the incident have circulated on social media, sparking concern over vigilante violence carried out in the name of cow protection.
The situation has also raised questions about the response of local authorities. According to the victims, when they approached the nearby police station to file a complaint, the station in-charge allegedly refused to register a First Information Report (FIR).
The incident has led to anger among local residents and community members, who say that vigilante groups claiming to protect cows are increasingly taking the law into their own hands. Civil rights observers argue that such cases highlight the need for stronger action against hate crimes and mob violence.
Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra president and Mankhurd–Shivaji Nagar MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised the matter in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He described the alleged attack as a serious hate crime and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Azmi also urged the state government to ensure justice for the victims and called for stronger legal measures to curb hate crimes and vigilante violence in the state.
