A 28-year-old Muslim man, Yusuf, was brutally beaten to death by a mob in Palwal, Haryana, on suspicion of cow smuggling. His companion, who was also attacked, remains in critical condition.
According to reports, the two were transporting a cow and its calf when a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes intercepted them, accusing them of smuggling the animals for slaughter.
The mob launched a violent assault, and Yusuf succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
The incident has sparked outrage, with activists and community leaders condemning the attack and highlighting the growing trend of mob violence under the pretext of cow protection.
Haryana’s stringent Cow Protection and Cow Promotion Bill has been criticized for fueling such tensions, with concerns raised over its misuse to justify vigilantism.
Kaleem Khan, a regional social worker, called the attack “inhumane” and urged authorities to uphold the law rather than allow mobs to take justice into their own hands.
Haryana police have registered a murder case against 10 individuals, but no arrests have been made yet. Senior police official Amit Sharma assured that those responsible would be held accountable, emphasizing that mob lynching is unacceptable.
The attack has deepened fears of communal divisions in Palwal, with local shopkeepers expressing concerns over rising tensions.
Human rights organizations have urged authorities to ensure justice through legal means and prevent further violence in the name of cow protection.
The Haryana government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but the case is expected to reignite discussions on balancing strict cow protection laws with preventing vigilante violence.
Yusuf’s grieving family has demanded justice, with his relative Abdul Qadir stating that he did not deserve such a fate.
The lynching serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of mob violence and the urgent need for measures to curb vigilantism in the region.