Cow slaughter rumour: Damoh Muslims paraded, jailed; Hindu attackers walk free
Damoh: Police in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh arrested and publicly paraded Muslim butchers through the streets, accusing them of cow slaughter.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred after members of Hindu organisations launched a violent attack on the butchers’ market over rumours that a cow had been slaughtered.
According to local people, tensions began on Friday when a false report about cow slaughter spread in the area. By the time the police reached the spot, a group of Hindu activists had already stormed the butchers’ locality armed with sticks and rods. They vandalised shops and assaulted several men. The police later found only a severed buffalo head.
However, instead of arresting the attackers, the police turned their focus on the Muslim butchers. On Sunday, nine men, including local Congress leader and former councillor Mursaleen Qureshi, were paraded through the streets before being presented in court..
“This is a one-sided action. We were attacked first, but the police are treating us as culprits,” Mursaleen Qureshi told reporters. “They found a buffalo head, not a cow, yet they charged us under the cow slaughter law. Those who came with sticks to kill us are roaming free,” he added.
Residents of the area said the police display — marching the accused through the streets — was humiliating and aimed at creating fear among the Muslim community. “We have never seen such public shaming before. It was done to humiliate Muslims and please certain groups,” said a shopkeeper from Damoh, who requested anonymity.
The violence reportedly began when activists of a local Hindu organisation entered the butcher market shouting slogans and accusing the traders of cow slaughter. Eyewitnesses said the butchers initially tried to defend themselves, leading to a scuffle. The police arrived later and brought the situation under control.
Despite evidence suggesting that the attack was initiated by the Hindu mob, the police filed cases only against the butchers. This has raised serious concerns about bias and the unequal application of the law.
