Two arrested; police investigations continue as assaulters allegedly called the victims Bangladeshis
KOLKATA — Four Muslim cattle traders were brutally assaulted by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, who tied their hands before reining lathi blows on them, in Durgapur of West Bengal on Thursday. The traders were forced to hold their ears in their hands and paraded on the streets, a form of public humiliation, after being accused of transporting 20 “smuggled” cows in a mini-truck.
The traders were beaten up, according to reports reaching here on Saturday, despite possessing valid documents proving the legal purchase of the animals from a cattle market in Bankura.
The assault is symptomatic of the malaise which has set in in the country’s polity with even elderly Muslims not spared abuse, ill-treatment and beating.
The persecuted men, all residents and voters of Jemua village near Durgapur, were further branded as Bangladeshis by the self-appointed cow vigilantes, a claim they vehemently denied, presenting documentation to confirm their Indian citizenship.
Shockingly, the assault occurred just 200 meters from the local police station in the Gammon area under the Coke Oven police jurisdiction. Police have since arrested two individuals connected to the incident, reports said.
“Two persons belonging to the minority community, while carrying cattle for farming purpose, were detained and severely beaten up yesterday in Durgapur by some hooligans belonging to a particular political party. A case has been registered over the incident and two of the miscreants have already been arrested. Raids are on to apprehend all those involved,” the West Bengal Police said in a statement.
“None will be spared. Nothing and no one will be allowed to dent our state’s tradition of inclusivity and harmony. We always have, and always will, demonstrate zero tolerance for religious bigotry of any kind. Let that message be loud and clear,” the statement said.
Two persons belonging to the minority community, while carrying cattle for farming purpose, were detained and severely beaten up yesterday in Durgapur by some hooligans belonging to a particular political party. A case has been registered over the incident and two of the… pic.twitter.com/ynLwciWAhE
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) August 1, 2025
Local BJP leader Parijat Ganguly, who supervised the vigilante action, claimed that the group intervened to stop cattle smuggling, accusing the traders of colluding with the police and ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). He denied physically assaulting the men or confiscating their cash and documents, attributing the violence to “local people” angered by the smuggling.
The incident has sparked strong reactions from local leaders, with the TMC condemning the incident and demanding action against the perpetrators.
They condemned the incident as an example of “Bengali-phobia” and divisive politics promoted by the BJP. Pandabeswar MLA Narendranath Chakraborty, representing the TMC, visited the traders, assured them of justice, and lodged a police complaint against Ganguly and his associates.
Chakraborty criticised the police for failing to intervene despite the proximity and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.
The Durgapur police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Sources within the Bengal BJP acknowledged the incident’s negative impact amid ongoing efforts to portray the party as less hardline. They indicated disciplinary action might be taken against Ganguly to distance the party from such extremist acts.
