Mob violence sparks outcry as tests confirm no beef in Charkhi Dadri incident, deepening concerns over vigilante attacks on migrant Muslim workers
Team Clarion
GURUGRAM — A recent lab report has revealed that no beef was found in the samples collected from the August 27 mob lynching incident in Badhra, Charkhi Dadri, where a Muslim youth, Shabbir Khan (also known as Sabir Malik), was killed by a mob on suspicions of consuming beef. The Faridabad lab tested the samples of the meat and confirmed that the meat was from an animal other than a cow, according to DSP Bharat Bhushan.
Incident Overview
On the afternoon of August 27, Sabir Malik, a 26-year-old waste-picker from West Bengal residing in Haryana’s Badhra town, was assaulted by a mob on accusations of beef consumption. The attackers, reportedly belonging to local vigilante groups, suspected him of preparing beef—a suspicion that escalated into a brutal lynching. Sabir Malik tragically lost his life during the assault, and another individual, Asiruddin, was also injured.
DSP Bharat Bhushan confirmed that the meat samples were collected from the migrant labour slums and submitted for forensic testing to verify allegations of beef consumption. “We’ve arrested 10 suspects and continue to seek others involved. The results from the lab clearly show there was no beef, challenging the original accusations that incited this violent attack,” he said.
Unfounded Claims and Rising Tensions
The forensic report has not only exonerated Sabir but also highlights the intense hostility faced by the region’s migrant Muslim families, many of whom are from Bengal and Assam and reside along Satnali Road in Badhra. According to local reports, these families often face unfounded allegations from local groups accusing them of being “Bangladeshi” and are viewed with suspicion for consuming non-vegetarian food as part of their cultural habits.
Sabir’s family shared with the authorities that while they consume meat, it is a cultural practice unrelated to beef. His wife, Shakina Sardar Malik, and their young daughter were left traumatised, ultimately deciding to return to West Bengal after his tragic death.
Social Media Reactions
The case has triggered reactions on social media, with several prominent figures condemning the attack. A widely followed social media account, Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) on platform X (formerly Twitter), posted:
“In August, a group of cow vigilantes lynched a waste-picker Muslim man, Sabir Malik, to death over ‘suspicions’ of consuming beef… the accusations against Sabir Malik were entirely baseless, imposed by a mob seeking to harass and kill him.”
The post detailed how Sabir, already facing economic challenges, had moved to Haryana to support his family, only to become a target of baseless accusations.
In response to the findings, animal experts from an official committee clarified that the accusations against Sabir Malik were unwarranted, marking a concerning trend in the misuse of “cow protection” laws for targeting marginalised groups. Following the forensic confirmation, police have accelerated the submission of the case challan to the court to expedite legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the family’s return to West Bengal highlights the longer-lasting psychological impact of such incidents on migrant communities in Haryana.
As authorities intensify their investigation, community leaders and social activists are calling for stronger legal actions to address rising mob violence incidents.
