Vehicles carrying bulls were allegedly stopped by Bajrang Dal workers, raising concerns among Muslims over attempts to create tension ahead of Eid Al-Adha
NEW DELHI — Tension gripped parts of Hyderabad after activists linked to the Bajrang Dal allegedly stopped vehicles carrying bulls near Chaitanyapuri Metro Station and questioned transporters on a public road ahead of Eid Al-Adha to be observed tentatively at the month-end.
The incident took place on the night of 11 May on the Kothapet Road area of Hyderabad and has triggered strong reactions from Muslim organisations, civil society groups and political leaders, who accused members of Hindu groups of taking the law into their own hands in the name of cow protection.
According to reports, several vehicles transporting bulls were intercepted by individuals said to be associated with Bajrang Dal. Videos and photographs of the incident later spread widely on social media, leading to anger and concern among locals.
People present at the scene alleged that the activists attempted to inspect the vehicles themselves and questioned the drivers regarding the transport of animals, despite there being no legal ban in Telangana on the transportation of bulls or animal sacrifice connected to Eid Al-Adha.
The incident has once again raised concerns about self-styled cow vigilante groups operating openly on roads and targeting Muslims and cattle traders in different parts of the country.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Amjed Ullah Khan of Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) questioned why private organisations were being allowed to stop vehicles and conduct checks on public roads.
Speaking about the matter, Khan said, “When there is no restriction in Telangana on the transportation of bulls, how can members of an organisation stop vehicles in the middle of the road and question people? Who has given them this authority?”
He also accused authorities of showing softness towards groups involved in such actions, while ordinary citizens and minorities often face strict policing.
Khan said, “Some organisations appear to have been given open freedom to take the law into their own hands. This creates fear among minorities and damages public trust.”
Leaders from Muslim organisations expressed concern that such incidents become more common before Eid Al-Adha and often create anxiety among Muslim families preparing for the religious festival.
A resident of Hyderabad said, “People are worried because these incidents usually happen around Eid. Many Muslims feel they are being deliberately targeted and harassed.”
The spokesperson of Majlis Bachao Tehreek also warned that such actions could disturb communal harmony and create unnecessary tension in the city.
He urged the police administration to conduct an impartial inquiry and take legal action against anyone found to have illegally stopped vehicles or threatened transporters.
“So far, no law allows private groups to act like police officers on public roads,” he said.
The issue also sparked debate on social media, where many users questioned why self-appointed vigilante groups were allegedly carrying out roadside inspections instead of leaving such matters to police and government departments.
Several users pointed out that if there were any suspicion of illegal cattle transport, authorities should have been informed rather than crowds gathering on roads and confronting drivers directly.
Civil rights activists say repeated incidents of cow vigilantism in different states have created fear among Muslims, especially traders, transporters and people linked to the cattle business.
Human rights observers have repeatedly warned that such actions often increase communal tension and sometimes lead to violence.
At the time of reporting, there was no official confirmation regarding arrests linked to the incident. Police officials have also not publicly clarified whether permission had been granted to any group to stop or inspect the vehicles.
The latest Hyderabad incident has again brought attention to the growing debate over cow vigilantism, religious freedom and the rights of minorities in India, particularly during important Muslim religious occasions such as Eid Al-Adha.
