In Bihar’s Gopalganj district, an elderly Muslim couple was stopped and harassed by a local Hindu organisation leader while transporting two cows they had bought for rearing. The incident took place in Panchdevri block and has since gone viral after a video, reportedly filmed by the accused himself, surfaced on social media.
According to reports, Pradeep Maurya, a leader linked to a Hindu outfit, intercepted the couple and accused them of being “cow smugglers.” He and his associates allegedly made the claims without checking any documents or verifying the couple’s explanation.
The elderly man tried to defend himself, saying, “I take these cows for rearing. I always rear two to four animals for milk and business. There is nothing illegal in what I do.” His wife also pleaded during the confrontation, asking, “We have bought these cows to take care of them. Why are we being treated like criminals?”
Despite their appeals, Maurya continued to threaten them. In the viral video, he can be heard saying, “I see you people every day taking cows. If I see you next time, I will tie you here,” while also warning that he would call the police.
Locals said the couple was being unfairly targeted. “Buying and moving cows or buffaloes between villages is a common practice here for milk and rearing purposes. There is nothing illegal in it,” said a neighbour who did not want to be named.
The incident has raised concerns about growing religious profiling in rural Bihar. Legal experts have pointed out that cow rearing is not restricted to any community and that threatening people solely based on their faith amounts to harassment.
The viral video has triggered widespread outrage online, with social media users condemning the intimidation. One user wrote, “No one should be threatened or harassed because of their religion. Reaping the benefits of lawful business should never become a reason for intimidation.”
Authorities in Gopalganj have not yet commented on the matter.
