Videos show self-styled cow vigilantes beating two young men, forcing them to lick shoes and drink a liquid claimed to be cow urine
PALWAL — Fresh allegations of violence in the name of cow protection have surfaced from Haryana after disturbing videos circulating on social media allegedly showed two Muslim youths being assaulted, humiliated and forced to drink suspected cow urine by members of a self-styled cow vigilante group.
The incident this week has triggered anger among minority groups and rights activists, who say such attacks are creating fear among Muslims in several northern Indian states.
According to reports, members of a group calling itself “Team Sonu Hindu Palwal” allegedly stopped two young men on suspicion of cattle smuggling. The accused reportedly forced the victims into a vehicle before assaulting them.
Videos widely shared online allegedly show the victims being beaten and abused. In one clip, the youths are seen being forced to lick shoes while the attackers record the incident. Another video reportedly shows one of the accused forcing a liquid into the mouths of the victims, with claims that it was cow urine.
The videos also allegedly contain abusive language and religious slogans, including chants of “Jai Shri Ram”, during the assault.
In one of the clips, an accused person can allegedly be heard telling the victims to “drink it like alcohol” before pouring the liquid into their mouths.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over the activities of self-styled cow protection groups operating in parts of Haryana and other northern states, where Muslims have frequently faced accusations linked to cattle transport and cow slaughter.
Civil rights activists and members of minority organisations have condemned the incident, calling it “inhuman” and demanding immediate arrests.
Several activists said the public circulation of the videos showed that the attackers felt “fearless” and were openly challenging law enforcement agencies.
“This is not just assault, this is public humiliation meant to spread fear among minorities,” a local rights activist said after the videos surfaced online. “If people can record such acts and upload them openly, it raises serious questions about accountability.”
The incident has once again brought attention to violence linked to cow vigilantism in India, where Muslims, cattle traders and transporters have repeatedly reported attacks by groups claiming to protect cows.
Opposition leaders and social activists have also questioned why private groups are allegedly taking the law into their own hands.
As of now, there has been no detailed official statement regarding arrests or police action in the case. Authorities have also not publicly confirmed the authenticity of all videos circulating online.
Police officials are yet to clarify whether the victims have formally filed complaints or whether charges under kidnapping, assault and hate crime provisions will be applied.
The viral videos have continued to spread across social media platforms, increasing pressure on the administration to respond quickly.
The case has added to the growing debate over mob violence, minority safety and the role of self-styled vigilante groups in several parts of India.
