By Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: To mark the first death anniversary of Pehlu Khan, who was lynched to death by so-called cow vigilantes, Bhumi Adhikar Andolan organized a protest rally here on Tuesday. Condemning the Rajasthan’s BJP government, speakers said it is shameful to see that the state government has failed to do justice to the victims or address the increasing incidents of cow ‘ghoonda gardi’ in the state.
It is to recall that on April 3, 2017, Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer from Nooh district of Haryana was attacked along with his four accomplices by a group of 200 cow vigilantes affiliated with right-wing Hindutva groups in Alwar, Rajasthan but the BJP government has been allegedly trying to save the accused. Speakers’ opined that because of this attitude of the government, there is a growing threat to the power of democratically elected state-government and courts from quasi militant groups such as the gau-rakshaks , who have undermined the Right to Life of individuals and communities, especially in the rural agrarian belt.
Various militant and political outfits such as RSS and VHP have regularly attacked cattle traders under the guise of “gauraksha” (cow protection).
Pehlu Khan’s family is still struggling to come to terms with their loss and live a normal life. The delay in this case clearly shows not a lack of evidence, but a lack of will to bring the killers to justice.
The role of the local police officials in the subduing and diluting of the cases, including threatening families and friends of the victims of filing false cases, destroying evidence and adopting a strategy of false encounters must also be looked into.
Speaking on the occasion, former MP Hannan Mollah revealed that since Pehlu Khan’s lynching, over 300 more cases have been reported, the victims were dairy farmers, Dalit and Muslim cattle traders, and none of them have received justice even now. It is time for the nation to agitate against such politically motivated murders; as a democracy, India cannot standby as innocent farmers, traders and other social minorities are murdered in broad daylight, he said.
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan continues its demand for justice for these victims, for immediate relief to be provided to the families of the victims of these attacks and strives to provide support to the families of the victims. It also condemns the protection given to these gau-rakshaks who have run havoc across the country, and are visibly operating with the patronage of local and state administration and political groups who have vested interests.
NK Shukla said the continued attacks on cattle traders and dairy farmers are part of a bigger design to undermine the dairy sector of the country. These attacks are creating havoc on the lives of the farmers who are already distressed because they are not getting a fair MSP, they are burdened by debts and being pushed to commit suicides, Shukla said.
Maulana Hanif described the attacks on the Muslim community in Mewat is a part of larger political agenda. He said the need of hour is for all the communities in Mewat to stand unite against the communal forces.
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan leaders called for nation-wide struggle against increasing cases of violence meted by right-wing groups in the name of cow-protection and of vendetta against all progressive movements and of continued attacks on dalits and minorities.
It is to mention here that Bhumi Adhikar Andolan had also organised a two day National Convention and Photo Feature on the subject in March, it was attended by farmers, political leaders, social activists and academicians from all over the country.
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan also announced its support to the call for a countrywide protest called by Jan Ekta, Jan Adhikar Andolan on the completion of 4 years of the Modi Government with the slogan “Pol Khol, Halla Bol!”
Phul Singh, MPs Jiten Chaudhary, KK Ragesh , Pehlu Khan’s family members and others also addressed the rally.
Congratulations. Pol khol halla bol. Cow gundas must be brought to justice. All fascist majoritarian communalist organizations must be thrown into black sea for their black crimes.
It is unfortunate that all secular parties are self centered and don’t place kicking BJPRSS out more urgent priority number one over their own paltry vested interests