A Muslim man has been killed in India after being attacked for allegedly smuggling beef. Police arrested three people on Saturday in connection with the episode.
The victim, 56-year-old Naseem Qureshi, died earlier this week in the northeastern state of Bihar after he was attacked by a mob suspected of transporting beef, the sale and consumption of which is banned in parts of the country. India by local governments. According to the police, Qureshi was attacked by a group of at least twenty people and died on the way to the hospital.
Cows are considered sacred animals by Hinduism, and attacks are often carried out on those accused of killing them for their meat or leather. Typically, the victims belong to the Muslim minority or the lowest castes of India’s stratified society.
Out of 28 Indian states, only 8 states have no legal ban on killing and eating cows, and in Bihar, where the incident took place, slaughtering is strictly prohibited by law and punishable by up to 6 months in jail, according to a law. Since 1955.
Extremist Hindu organizations are demanding a complete ban on cow slaughter across the country. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who leads a government inspired by principles of Hindu nationalism, came to power in 2014, operations by armed groups to control beef smuggling have become frequent.
Currently, Bihar is ruled by a regional party, while Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is the opposition party.
Jean Rhys is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.