The frenzy over cow slaughter and beef consumption continues to spread across the Hindi heartland. Two days after being brutally beaten by a gang of cow vigilantes in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, Pehlu Khan succumbed to injuries on Tuesday. Khan and four of his associates were attacked when they were transporting cows to Haryana for slaughter While the victims claim they were simply transporting cattle they had bought at a Saturday fair and that they had necessary papers, the attackers had accused them of smuggling the animals.
Stoking the communal fire further, Rajasthan Home Minister GC Kataria said both parties were to be blamed for the death as cow smuggling was illegal. “The blame lies with both sides. When they know that cow smuggling is banned in Rajasthan and there is a law against it, why were they doing it?”
Speaking to the media, Azmat, one of the victims, said they had taken necessary clearance to transport the animals.
“We were returning from a Saturday fair in Jaipur. I had bought two milch cows for Rs 75,000, and I had all the valid documents. They stopped our vehicle and asked us our names. They allowed our driver, Arjun, to leave. I told them I had all the documents but they pulled us out of the vehicle and beat us up. They took away Rs 35,000 from me.” A section of media also published the documents the victims had obtained to transport the animals.
Local police have confirmed the attacks were carried out by persons affiliated to the VHP and Bajrang Dal. “Gau rakshaks affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal stopped four vehicles and attacked the men” Ramesh Chand Sinsinwar, SHO of Behror police station had said. Under pressure, Rajasthan police have announced a reward of `5,000 for anybody providing information on each of the six suspects identified so far.
According to reports, at least 10 Muslims have been killed over last two years by cow vigilantes across the country.