A video from Barabanki has triggered widespread outrage after a Muslim youth was allegedly forced by self-styled cow vigilantes to kneel before a calf, touch its feet and chant religious slogans during a public confrontation.
The incident, which was reportedly shared online by a group identifying itself as the Sanatan Gauraksha Dal, has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, members of the Muslim community and political leaders, who have called for legal action against those involved.
Youth Allegedly Assaulted and Forced to Perform Religious Gesture
According to videos circulating on social media, the youth was accused by members of the cow protection group of making objectionable remarks about cows.
The footage appears to show a group of around 15 to 20 men surrounding the youth, verbally abusing him and allegedly assaulting him while he repeatedly apologised.
The group is also seen asking him to call his father and threatening him using abusive language. Later in the video, the youth is allegedly taken to a cattle shed where he is forced to kneel before a calf, touch its legs and chant “Jai Shri Ram” while members of the group demonstrate how to bow before the animal.
The Hindutva group claimed in its social media post that the youth had made inflammatory remarks against cows and alleged that “jihadis” had threatened to “play a Holi of blood.” These claims have not been independently verified.
Police Yet to Confirm Incident
Following the circulation of the video, several social media users tagged the Uttar Pradesh Police and Barabanki Police, demanding action.
The police responded online by asking users to provide complete details of the incident and submit a complaint at the concerned police station so that necessary legal action could be taken.
However, when contacted by journalists, a representative from the office of the Superintendent of Police in Barabanki reportedly said the department had not yet received formal information about the incident. Police have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the video or the circumstances surrounding it.
Congress MP Condemns Incident
Syed Naseer Hussain, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP, condemned the alleged incident after sharing the video on social media.
“Such acts are not expressions of faith but crimes that violate human dignity and the Constitution. When vigilante groups believe they can assault citizens and publicly degrade them with impunity, it reflects a serious failure of governance,” he said.
He urged the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct a fair investigation and take strict action against those found responsible.
