Hindutva gang attacks 4 men with iron rods over beef allegations in UP
On May 24, 2025, four Muslim men—Arbaz, Aqeel, Kadim, and Munna Khan—were brutally assaulted by a Hindutva mob in Aligarh’s Harduaganj area, Uttar Pradesh. The attackers accused them of transporting beef, leading to a violent confrontation that has sparked nationwide outrage.
The victims, all residents of Atrauli town, were returning from Al-Ammar Frozen Foods meat factory when their vehicle was intercepted near the Harduaganj police station. The mob, reportedly led by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Rajkumar Arya and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjun Singh, demanded ₹50,000 to allow them to pass. Upon refusal, the assailants dragged the men out, stripped them to the waist, and beat them with iron rods and bricks. Their vehicle was overturned and set ablaze, and the meat they were transporting was thrown onto the road .
Disturbing videos of the incident have surfaced online, showing the victims pleading for mercy as they were assaulted. A police officer present at the scene appeared to be a passive observer, raising questions about law enforcement’s role during the attack
The injured were admitted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, with three reported to be in critical condition. Salim Khan, father of victim Aqeel, filed a complaint leading to an FIR against 13 identified and 25 unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rioting, attempted murder, extortion, and dacoity .
In a controversial move, a counter FIR was filed against the victims under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, accusing them of transporting beef. This has drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that the victims are being criminalized despite being the ones attacked
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani condemned the attack, labeling it a “barbaric and a blot” on the nation’s conscience. He emphasized that such acts of vigilante justice erode faith in law enforcement and disrupt communal harmony .
This incident is part of a troubling trend of cow vigilante violence in India, where individuals, often from minority communities, are targeted based on suspicions of cow slaughter or beef consumption. Human Rights Watch has documented a surge in such attacks since 2015, attributing the rise to increased Hindu nationalism and the emboldening of vigilante groups
The Aligarh assault underscores the urgent need for authorities to address vigilante violence and ensure that law enforcement agencies act impartially to protect all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unchecked mob justice and the importance of upholding the rule of law in a diverse and democratic society.
