While protests against mob-lynching are intensifying across the country, especially when hate crimes have become an everyday phenomenon, an incident in Tamil Nadu, saw police thrashing cow vigilantes who resorted to violence in Dindugal district. As per NewsMinute reports, the vigilantes (members of the Hindu Munnani group) waylaid a truck carrying calves from Pollachi to Palani. They forced the farmer to take the animals and the truck to come to the police station.
Soon after this, members of Left parties and VCK arrived at the spot which further led to an argument with the Hindu Munnani. They convinced the police that the farmer in question had the necessary permits to transport the calves and that it was not meant for slaughter. This aggravated the cow-vigilantes who began to throw stones at the police station damaging public property. Tamil channels reported that the public bus was vandalised during the protest.
As a repercussion to this, police lathi-charged members of the Hindu Munnani. According to the video aired by PPTV, the policemen are seen charging on Hindu Munnani activists.
The video shared by many people on social media has got mixed reactions. While many have expressed happiness at the way cow vigilantes got thrashed, others warned that state violence against any groups needs to be condemned.
The right wing group, however, has a different explanation to offer. “The vehicle was stopped by a Godman and he brought them to the station. Close to 20 calves were crammed into a small vehicle and it was inhumane,” a member of the Hindu Munnani’s Coimbatore said, reported The News Minute.
“Members of the group just went to the police station to see what was wrong. The Muslims and communists gathered there began an argument and started pelting stones but we were the ones targeted for it,” he claims.
According to the Hindu Munnani, four of its members have been admitted to the hospital with severe injuries.
