Mohammad Akhlaq, a 50-year-old farm worker, was brutally lynched by a mob in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, on suspicion of slaughtering a cow and consuming beef. The attack occurred on a Monday night when a group of people, armed with sticks, swords, and guns, stormed his home, accusing him and his family of slaughtering a cow. The family claimed that the meat found in their fridge was mutton, but the mob, acting on rumors, was unconvinced.
Cow slaughter is a highly sensitive issue in India, as cows are sacred to Hindus, the majority of India's population. Uttar Pradesh, like several other states, has strict laws against cow slaughter and beef consumption. The family’s pleas of innocence were ignored as the mob violently attacked Akhlaq, dragging him and his son Danish from their home and beating them severely. Despite some nearby Hindu neighbors trying to intervene and calling the police, it was too late; Akhlaq died, and Danish was left critically injured.
The rumors began after an announcement from a local Hindu temple claimed that someone had slaughtered and consumed a cow. However, confusion surrounds who made the announcement. While some locals said the temple's public address system was used by unknown individuals, the temple authorities have denied involvement. Police have arrested six people, with four more still at large.
The incident has sparked protests and unrest in the region, with mobs setting fire to vehicles and vandalizing shops. The local political climate has added a layer of complexity, with some suggesting the attack was politically motivated, aimed at stirring communal tensions ahead of upcoming elections.
The tragedy has deeply affected Akhlaq’s family, who have expressed a desire to leave the village, feeling unsafe in the wake of the violence.