Police, Gau Raksha Dal issue contradictory statements; concerns raised over the role of far-right groups in law enforcement operations
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – In a recent incident of cow vigilantism in Rajasthan, four Muslim men were assaulted in Deeg city for allegedly transporting cattle. The attack was reportedly carried out by members of the RSS-affiliated Gau Raksha Dal, which claimed to have worked alongside the police in this operation.
The incident took place on Tuesday, September 3, following a high-speed chase that ended in a crash, leaving the men severely injured, with visible signs of assault, reports reaching here said.
Gau Raksha Dal members claimed its members worked alongside the police during this operation. But, the police in a statement to the press maintained that the operation was carried out independently by its Quick Response Team (QRT), according to reports.
However, video footage circulating on social media showed men wearing saffron scarves at the scene, raising questions about the true extent of the vigilante group’s participation.
The contradiction between the Gau Raksha Dal claims and the police statement has raised concerns about the role of far-right groups in law enforcement operations.
Similar incidents have occurred, including one in Uttarakhand, where a 24-year-old Muslim man, Wasim Qureshi Monu, was reportedly thrown into a pond after being chased by a police cattle protection squad. His family, however, refuted the police’s version, stating that Wasim had no involvement in cow slaughter and was merely visiting his sister before being targeted.
The family members of Wasim said that he had gone to Madhopur to visit his sister. They claimed he was on his way home that night, denying the cow slaughter allegations.