Latur: In Maharashtra’s Latur, a Muslim youth was assaulted on the charge of illegal transport of cows. It has been reported that the cow vigilantes forced 28-year-old Asif Qureshi to prostate before the cow wearing a cap and also beat him.
The video of forcing Asif to bow down in front of a cow wearing a cap and hug it has gone viral on social media. The incident happened in Latur district of Maharashtra in the presence of police.
Asif’s only crime was that he was transporting cattle from one market to another in his mini truck.
The incident took place on April 23 when Asif bought 18 cattle from a market to sell them at the animal market in Osa, but before he could reach the market, the cowherds stopped his vehicle. Meanwhile, Osa police reached the spot and took possession of Asif’s truck.
To make matters worse, Osa police constable Nunath lodged a complaint that Asif, along with others, bought animals illegally from farmers. He intended to slaughter them for meat. Complaints were also made about no provision of fodder water.
In the complaint, a case was registered against Asif and others under the Animal Protection Act and the Motor Vehicle Act. After that, 2 policemen and 3 home guards moved the cattle to a cowshed in Latur where Asif was forced to bow down to the cow wearing a cap.
In the presence of policemen at the gaushala, the cow vigilantes allegedly assaulted Asif, and forced him to bow down in front of a cow while wearing skull cap and hug it.
They also made a video of the entire incident and circulated it on social media so that the message is conveyed to other people, especially Muslims, that they can do whatever they want because the government and the police do not take any action against them.
Later, the police admitted Asif to the hospital, where after medical examination, it was revealed that Asif had been severely beaten. The local people criticized the police for being silent spectators and supporting the gau rakhahaks.
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the incident, Latur Police SP Munde summoned two constables to the headquarters and ordered a departmental inquiry against them. Action has also been taken against 3 home guards.
Amidst allegations that local police stations have refused to register an FIR against the suspects, a written complaint has been lodged at the Latur police office alleging that Asif was allegedly assaulted and he was forced to drink cow urine.
A delegation met SP Munde and demanded registration of an FIR.
