Sat Nov 22 22:51:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Cow Vigilantism Plagues Maharashtra, Leaving Trail of Fear and Despair
Mumbai, November 23, 2025 – A climate of fear and violence continues to grip Maharashtra, India, as cow vigilante groups increasingly target meat traders and cattle transporters. A recent surge in attacks, often filmed and shared on social media, has left families devastated, livelihoods shattered, and questions about law enforcement’s role unanswered.
The violence has escalated to include alleged incidents of torture and even death. One recent case involves a 17-year-old boy from the Dhangar community who allegedly died by suicide after being assaulted and humiliated by vigilantes who accused him of cow smuggling. The attackers live-streamed the assault.
These incidents follow a pattern of intimidation and violence. In another case, a man named Rafiq Mehboob Tamboli disappeared in 2021 after allegedly being attacked by vigilantes while transporting meat. His family still searches for him, while his wife now makes ends meet running the kaanda-batata cart business which he once ran. Across Maharashtra, meat traders report being routinely harassed and assaulted, with police often reluctant to file FIRs. Even legal buffalo meat consignments are frequently seized.
While “Gau Rakshaks” (cow protectors) claim they are rescuing cattle from illegal slaughter, victims and activists accuse them of taking the law into their own hands. Some leaders, like Shivshankar Rajendra Swami, boast of rescuing thousands of cows and claim the police are not doing enough to enforce animal protection laws. However, an internal Animal Husbandry Department letter from 2018 reveals authorities previously criticized Swami for overstepping his authority.
The violence has decimated the meat trade, a traditional source of income for many Qureshi families. Many have been left jobless, forced to find alternative livelihoods like garment vending or mechanics.
Legal challenges are mounting. The Bombay High Court has awarded compensation in some cases and is pushing for the implementation of anti-lynching guidelines. The recent inclusion of mob lynching as a crime under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, offers hope for stricter penalties. However, concerns remain over the potential misuse of animal welfare laws to target meat traders.
A three-month strike by meat traders in 2025 and growing legal challenges demonstrate the rising tensions. While India is a major meat producer, these incidents raise serious questions about the safety and rights of those involved in the trade and the rule of law in Maharashtra.
First Piper 