A report by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights has claimed that at least 46 anti-Muslim hate incidents took place across India during the period around Eid Al-Adha, leading to three deaths and several cases of violence, intimidation and harassment.
Released on Friday, the report said 30 of the 46 incidents were directly linked to Bakrid celebrations and involved issues such as animal sacrifice, cattle transportation, Eid prayers and public gatherings.
According to APCR, the incidents were recorded between May 11 and May 29 and reflected what the organisation described as a growing atmosphere of fear and hostility surrounding Muslim religious practices during Eid.
Three Muslims Killed During the Period
The report stated that three Muslims lost their lives during the period.
One Muslim man allegedly died following custodial torture in Gujarat after being accused of cow slaughter. In Assam, two Muslim men were allegedly lynched by a mob over accusations of cattle theft.
APCR noted that the Assam lynching happened a day after Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated the state government’s “zero tolerance” policy against cattle smuggling.
Cases of Harassment, Assault and Hate Speech
According to the report, 32 incidents involved intimidation and harassment, while six cases were linked to hate speech. APCR also documented three physical assaults and three attacks on property.
The organisation said many of the reported incidents were connected to allegations of cattle smuggling, cow slaughter or transportation of animals.
In one incident in Haryana, two Muslim men were allegedly assaulted and forced to drink cow urine after being accused of cow smuggling.
In Telangana, vigilantes reportedly attacked a truck and injured three Muslim men despite learning that the vehicle was carrying plywood and not cattle.
APCR said cow vigilantism remained a recurring feature in many of the incidents documented during the Bakrid period.
Restrictions Around Eid Practices
The report also criticised restrictions imposed by some state administrations around Eid Al-Adha observances.
According to APCR, authorities issued regulations concerning animal sacrifice, transportation of cattle, disposal of remains and Eid prayers in public spaces. The organisation argued that such measures, along with statements by political leaders, contributed to portraying Muslim religious practices as a law-and-order concern.
The report also documented opposition to Eid prayers in different parts of the country. These included protests against prayers near the Taj Mahal, objections to prayers in public places and an incident in Kalyan where people reportedly recited the Hanuman Chalisa while Muslims were offering Eid prayers.
Role of Political Groups Alleged
APCR alleged that members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were involved in campaigns opposing Muslim religious practices during the festival.
The report referred to incidents in Maharashtra where political leaders and local representatives allegedly opposed the keeping of sacrificial animals and pressured authorities to withdraw permissions granted to Muslims.
Claims of Attempts to Create Communal Tension
APCR also alleged that some incidents appeared aimed at deliberately creating communal tension.
The report cited a case in Meerut, where a man allegedly placed meat outside his own house and later filed a complaint to link it with Bakrid sacrifice and provoke unrest.
“The pattern of incidents points to a broader climate of intimidation around Muslim religious practices during Eid Al-Adha,” the report said while calling for accountability and stronger safeguards for minority rights.
