In March 2019, Human Rights Watch, an advocacy group based in the United States released a report showing links between cow vigilante groups and Hindutva organisations in India. Among the key findings of the Report is that lynchers enjoy political and administrative patronage. In almost all cases, the police initially stalled investigations, ignored procedures or even played a complicit role in the killings and cover-up of crimes. Instead of promptly investigating and arresting suspects, the police filed complaints against victims, their families, and witnesses under laws that ban cow slaughter.
We don't even need to go far back in time to look for proof of political patronage. Last week, Vishal Singh, one of the accused in the Mohammed Akhlaq lynching was seen at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in Bisada village in Uttar Pradesh. The rally was addressed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Singh was sitting in the front row and cheering the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister along with his friends. Is this the India we want in 2019?
Image Courtesy: Academics Against Modi
