“Just as the mango season, the melon season, and other seasons keep coming, similarly, the season of riots has also started coming over the past few years. Its duration lasts from Eid al-Adha to the end of Holi. The period between Eid al-Adha and Holi is like a ritual of riots, and every year during this time, fights break out in different parts of the country.”
These important lines are the English translation of the editorial published on 8 June 1925 in Hamdard, a renowned Urdu-language daily newspaper from India. The piece was published exactly 100 years ago under the editorship of Mohammad Ali Jauhar, a prominent Indian freedom fighter, scholar, and journalist.
Reading this editorial, one realizes that many things in India have remained unchanged over the past hundred years. Even a century ago, individuals aligned with a particular ideology—often encouraged by colonial authorities—targeted Muslims and fueled communal tensions under the pretext of animal sacrifice. Today, similar patterns persist. Some members of the ruling party, sharing the same ideological roots, continue to disrupt social harmony during major festivals like Eid al-Adha through hate speech. As seen last year, this year too, in the lead-up to Eid al-Adha, a series of inflammatory and divisive statements were made regarding animal sacrifice—highlighting how the politicization and weaponization of festivals remain ongoing realities.
As Eid al-Adha approaches, a sudden concern for animal welfare often emerges among Hindutva suorters despite the fact that many among them have no hesitation in consuming meat during their own festivals, such as Holi. In terms of statistics, India currently ranks fourth in the world for meat exports. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), India’s buffalo meat exports are projected to reach 1.64 million metric tons in 2025, potentially making it the world’s largest exporter of meat.
Yet these so-called animal lovers remain noticeably silent on such facts. Instead, their rhetoric intensifies in the lead-up to Eid al-Adha. Statistics reveal that 74% of India’s population is non-vegetarian, while Muslims constitute only 14.61% of the total population, according to official government data.
Across India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for “eco-friendly” and bloodless celebrations of Eid. In Uttar Pradesh, BJP legislator Nand Kishor Gurjar wrote to the Ghaziabad police ahead of Eid al-Adha (celebrated on June 7 to 9), demanding a ban on animal sacrifice, meat shops, and slaughterhouse operations in the Loni Assembly constituency, located near Hindon Airport. He cited concerns about “bird collisions with planes” and the need to maintain communal harmony. Gurjar also urged the Muslim community to mark Eid in an “eco-friendly” manner, suggesting they celebrate by cutting a goat-shaped cake instead of performing traditional animal sacrifice.
Akash Tyagi, a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ravana (also known as Baragaon) village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, made a clear declaration ahead of Eid al-Adha: “There will be no animal sacrifice in the village, no matter what happens.”
In Rajasthan, BJP legislator Balmukund Acharya also called for a ban on animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. He urged the Muslim community to cut a cake instead of sacrificing a goat. Acharya stated that animal sacrifice is not mandated by any religious text in Islam and that killing animals to celebrate festivals is inappropriate. He further emphasized that no religion permits the killing of any living being, and suggested that if a sacrifice is to be made, it should be symbolic, such as using a coconut or pumpkin.
BJP leader and Maharashtra’s Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, commenting on animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, questioned why those who advocate for eco-friendly celebrations of Diwali and Holi do not promote a virtual sacrifice for Eid al-Adha. He asked why the Muslim community cannot also be encouraged to celebrate Eid al-Adha in an eco-friendly way by symbolically sacrificing a virtual goat.
In another statement, Nitesh Rane said that if a goat is forcibly slaughtered in any community, the Hindutva-led government will take strict action. He emphasized, “This is not anyone’s Pakistan; this is our Hindu nation, and Sharia law does not apply here.”
A BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh even threatened, “Under no circumstances will we allow Muslims to slaughter banned animals, and if they do, those animals will be slaughtered in the same manner, and blood will flow in the same city.”
Alongside BJP leaders, the VHP also appealed to the Muslim community to show sensitivity regarding animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha and to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner.
Meanwhile, an Indian self-styled hindu godman, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri strongly opposed the practice of animal sacrifice, especially during Eid al-Adha, stating that no one has the right to take the life of any living creature.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, stated that no animal should be killed for religious reasons. He questioned the nature of a religion that involves slaughtering animals in the name of a festival. He further asked on what grounds Muslims are allowed to perform animal sacrifice. He criticized the Indian government, claiming it becomes ineffective when issues related to Muslims arise and fails to take action. According to him, Muslims are killing animals and cows with government support.
Until now, Hindutva extremists were seen as primarily focused on protecting cows, but this time they have also shown similar concern for buffaloes and goats. As a result, in Agra—the “City of Love” in Uttar Pradesh—the Nai Ki Mandi police station in-charge imposed a ban on the sacrifice of buffaloes, a move that was opposed by the local Muslim community.
Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat stated that goats are living beings, and their killing goes against our cultural values.
Shri Dayanand Swami of the Vishwa Prani Kalyan Mandali appealed to both the central and state governments to ban cattle slaughter during the Eid al-Adha festival across Karnataka. The VHP, too, has reportedly demanded a ban on the sacrifice of goats on Eid al-Adha.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Gauseva Commission directed all Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to suspend livestock markets from June 3 to June 8, aiming to halt the sale of all animals—including sheep and goats—during the Eid al-Adha festival.
In Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, a Hindu organization held a symbolic protest against animal sacrifice by using clay models of goats to raise awareness. They also encouraged the Muslim community to consider symbolically sacrificing clay goats during Eid al-Adha.
A distinct pattern emerged in Assam this year. In several places, Hindutva extremists claimed that Muslims had thrown meat or beef near temples, thereby disturbing communal harmony. Based on these allegations, members of the Muslim community were targeted. Police investigations often began with the assumption that Muslims were responsible, even though, in recent years, multiple incidents have surfaced in which individuals affiliated with Hindutva groups themselves had planted beef in or near temples to incite communal tensions.
Meanwhile, certain sections of the media played a significant role in spreading hatred under the pretext of animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. Some outlets even referenced countries like Türkiye and Morocco to stoke fear and suspicion. Hate speech delivered around Eid al-Adha was widely amplified, with television channels hosting debates that further fueled division. Sudarshan News, a channel known for promoting communal narratives, falsely claimed that calves were sacrificed in North East Delhi during Eid. However, fact-checking organizations debunked this claim entirely, confirming it to be fabricated. This was yet another instance where Sudarshan News attempted to disturb communal harmony through misinformation.
In this piece, I have attempted to document some of the incidents that took place across the country before, during, and after Eid al-Adha. These accounts are based solely on cases reported by various credible websites.
It’s important to note that this year, numerous old and new videos were circulated on social media—particularly on Instagram—raising questions about animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. The intent behind many of these posts appeared to be the disruption of communal harmony. I have intentionally excluded such social media content from this documentation, as verifying their authenticity has become increasingly difficult in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Just before Eid al-Adha
— Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh): On May 24, four Muslim youths were violently attacked by a mob believed to be affiliated with a Hindutva extremist group, after being suspected of transporting beef. Despite presenting a license indicating the meat was legally sourced from a meat processing facility, the group was assaulted. Local police later confiscated the meat and sent it for testing to a government laboratory in Mathura. The lab results confirmed that the meat was not beef.
— Bengaluru (Karnataka): According to reports, Hindutva extremist groups were allegedly entering Muslim homes without authorization in the Tannery Road, Ahmednagar, and Shivajinagar areas of Bengaluru, under the pretext of preventing cow slaughter ahead of the Eid-al-Adha. Puneeth Kerehalli, a self-proclaimed cow protection activist previously accused of involvement in a murder case, posted videos of these incidents on Facebook on June 4 and 6. In response, on June 7, a group of lawyers, researchers, and social workers submitted a formal appeal to Bengaluru Police, urging immediate preventive action against Kerehalli.
—Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): On June 6, in Mandideep, members of the Bajrang Dal violently attacked the driver of a truck transporting cattle and vandalized the vehicle. They accused the driver of transporting the animals for slaughter ahead of Eid.
— Gomati (Tripura): In Udaipur, members of the Hindu Jagran Manch reportedly attacked a Muslim man, accusing him of sacrificing a cow during Eid. The attackers allegedly tore out his beard, physically assaulted him, and damaged his car. They also verbally abused him, calling him “Mullah.”
— Indore (Madhya Pradesh): On June 5, members of VHP and Bajrang Dal organized a protest against the alleged slaughter of cattle ahead of Eid. During the demonstration, participants chanted slogans calling for the execution of individuals involved in cow slaughter.
— Hojai (Assam): In the Bar Pukhuri area, tensions flared after beef was allegedly thrown near a Hindu temple and a private residence, in what some residents claimed was a deliberate act. In response, members of the local Hindu community staged strong protests, blocked roads, and chanted religious slogans, including “Jai Shri Ram,” a phrase often used in Hindu religious and political contexts.
— Hyderabad (Telangana): Tension prevailed in Dundigal, on the outskirts of the city, on 4 June night after a cow vigilante attacked cattle traders. The traders were transporting oxen in a vehicle to the city when gau rakshaks intercepted them near Gandi Maisamma. After pulling the driver and traders out of the vehicle, they severely beat them.
— Hyderabad (Telengana): Tension broke out around midnight on June 5 in Kaisar Nagar, located in the Suraram police station jurisdiction of Cyberabad, after two individuals allegedly associated with a cow protection group were found carrying dangerous weapons. The men had reportedly arrived in the area after receiving information about the buying and selling of animals ahead of Eid al-Adha. According to reports, several others were accompanying the two men, but fled when local residents questioned their presence and suspicious behavior. The community apprehended two individuals and handed them over to the police. During questioning, the suspects claimed they were “cow protectors,” and the police reportedly recovered large daggers and other weapons in their possession.
— Kaithal (Haryana): On May 31, members of the Gau Raksha Dal, a self-styled cow protection group, intercepted a driver transporting cattle. They alleged that the animals were being taken for slaughter ahead of the Eid festival. The police later took the driver into custody.
— Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): In the days leading up to Eid al-Adha, several incidents were reported in parts of Kanpur city where individuals allegedly assaulted farmers bringing animals to market and forcibly confiscated their livestock. In response to these incidents, a delegation met with Police Commissioner, submitting a formal memorandum demanding stronger action against those responsible and enhanced security measures for farmers. The delegation also called for stricter enforcement to prevent such acts and ensure a peaceful environment during the festival.
— KMP Expressway (Haryana): On May 26, Cow vigilantes attacked a truck with stones and spike strips, forcibly stopping it and seizing the cattle being transported, claiming the animals were being smuggled for slaughter ahead of Eid.
— Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh): BJP leader Rajeshwar Singh delivered a provocative speech on June 5 during a program organized by the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, held to celebrate Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s birthday. He stated, “If banned animals are slaughtered, we will slaughter Muslims in the same way and blood will flow in Khushinagar.”
— Mumbai (Maharashtra): In the lead-up to Eid al-Adha, tensions arose in several residential complexes across Mumbai over the practice of animal sacrifice. In the JP Infra Garden Society on Mira Road, some Hindu residents approached the police to protest the planned slaughter of goats. Meanwhile, the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation reportedly did not grant permission for any animal sacrifices to be carried out within housing societies. In another incident, at Maitri Society in the Ghatkopar area, Hindu residents raised objections at the local police station regarding goat sacrifices planned for Eid al-Adha. Muslim residents of the society had sought permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to perform the sacrifice, but according to media reports, the BMC denied the request. The society comprises approximately 170 families, around 40 of whom are Muslim.
— Nanded (Maharashtra): MLA Abu Asim Azmi voiced concern over rising tensions in Nanded district, during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. He addressed the issue in a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma. Azmi alleged that members of the Bajrang Dal, were attempting to intimidate the local Muslim community in the town of Dharmabad to prevent the traditional animal sacrifice associated with the festival. According to his statement, armed individuals linked to the group were reportedly seen patrolling Muslim neighborhoods and threatening residents, saying they would not allow the sacrifice to take place.
— New Delhi (Delhi): On May 1, approximately a month before the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim family was physically assaulted by several employees of Batra Cinema Hall in New Friends Colony, Delhi. According to reports, the attack was motivated by the family’s religious identity, and the assailants used abusive and discriminatory language during the incident. One of the attackers allegedly expressed anger over the tradition of goat sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, a practice observed by many Muslims around the world.
— Raisen (Madhya Pradesh): In Mehgaon, a small town in the district, two young men were violently attacked by a mob during the night of June 5. One was killed and the other seriously injured. According to reports, the attackers were identified as members of a Hindutva extremist group. It is alleged that the victims were transporting six to ten cows at the time of the incident.
— Ranchi (Jharkhand): On the eve of Eid al-Adha, three Muslim laborers were brutally attacked while having lunch near their workplace in the Namkum area. The attack was carried out by a mob of over 30 individuals, reportedly linked to Hindutva groups. According to witnesses, the mob demanded that the victims vacate the area and chant “Jai Shri Ram” — a Hindu religious slogan — which they refused. The attackers then subjected the men to physical violence, religious slurs, and Islamophobic abuse, and falsely accused them of being cow thieves.
— Sant Kabir Nagar (Uttar Pradesh): In Mushara village, Muslims are prohibited from sacrificing goats. Reports indicate that police confiscate all goats before Eid and return them after three days—a practice upheld since 2007.
— Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir): For the seventh consecutive year, the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar was closed on the eve of Eid al-Adha. In addition, authorities imposed a ban on mass Eid prayers at the Idgah ground, though no official explanation was provided for the decision. Furthermore, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and a prominent religious leader in Kashmir, was reportedly placed under house arrest ahead of the Eid prayers.
— Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand): In Jaspur village, Muslims have purchased two bighas of land and established a Qurbangah for Eid al-Adha, allowing Muslims from nearby villages to perform the sacrificial rites there instead of doing so at their homes. This arrangement was made to avoid inconveniencing the local residents. The land has been officially registered as a Qurbangah. However, this year, a local resident and the Shiv Mandir Committee of the village have raised objections to the practice, leading to tensions in the community.
— Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand): On June 5, members of the Rudrasena group reportedly issued warnings to Muslim men from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, telling them not to enter Mori village due to Eid prayers being held there. They allegedly ordered the men to leave the village, while the police were reportedly passive and did not intervene.
— Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh): In Haidergarh village, a dispute arose after the local Muslim community requested permission from the Gram Panchayat (village council) to slaughter a paada (buffalo calf) for three days during the festival of Eid al-Adha. The village head (Sarpanch) denied the request, prompting the community to take the issue to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Court advised that the matter should first be addressed through the appeals process outlined in the Panchayat Act and instructed the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to resolve the issue by June 6. The SDO, Manoj Upadhyay, convened a meeting between both parties. According to his statement, a mutual agreement was reached, and it was decided that the original decision made by the Panchayat would stand.
During the three days of Eid al-Adha
— Bidar (Karnataka): On Sunday, June 8, a report emerged of an alleged cow slaughter in a shed on Rampur Road, located on the outskirts of Kamalanagar town. In response, members of right-wing groups, including Bajrang Dal, VHP, and BJP supporters, organized a large-scale protest. The demonstrators held a bike rally, forced local businesses to close, and set tires on fire. Media reports also stated that the cow’s carcass was paraded through the town before being burned at Syed Peer Basha ground. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the alleged cow slaughter. The Superintendent of Police in Bidar confirmed the arrests and stated that a buffalo and four calves were rescued and taken to a local animal shelter. Some severed body parts of the animal were found there and they will take further action based on forensic evidence.
— Dhubri (Assam): Massive protests by local Hindu residents escalated communal tensions in the area after a severed cow head was discovered near a Hindu temple in the district. According to reports, protesters blocked roads, set fire to tyres, and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Some demonstrators also obstructed the police from removing the remains, insisting that they be left in place until the “culprits” were identified and arrested. In response to the growing unrest, the authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew to restore order.
— Goalpara (Assam): Police arrested five individuals for allegedly throwing beef near a temple in Lakhipur town, located in the district, on the night of Eid. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself shared the information on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Lakhipur police of Goalpara district arrested the suspects for allegedly throwing beef near a temple in a deliberate attempt to incite communal tension after Eid-ul-Zuha.” He also disclosed the names of the accused, who are reported to belong to a specific community.
— Gomati (Tripura): On June 7, a mob vandalized the property of a Muslim family in Rajnagar after they performed a cattle sacrifice on the first day of Eid al-Adha. When the police arrived at the scene, they informed the protesters that the family had the legal right to carry out the sacrifice on their private property and that it could not be stopped. Meanwhile, communal tensions flared in the village over allegations of a cow sacrifice on the riverbank in the Chanban area, located in the Udaipur subdivision of the district.
— Khargon (Madhya Pradesh): Protests by Hindutva organizations over the alleged slaughter of a cow in Ambadochar village during Eid al-Adha sparked communal tensions across the region. Seven individuals were arrested by the police, but a week later, Hindutva groups organized a ‘Gau Nyay Yatra‘ (Cow Justice March) demanding action against at least 20 more people, including prominent members of the local Muslim community. The protesters also called for the demolition of the homes of those accused, intensifying anxiety and fear within the Muslim community.
— Hapur (Uttar Pradesh): An FIR has been filed against six individuals for allegedly performing Eid prayers at a power substation in the Simbhavali area. (It is important to note that Eid prayers are typically offered in large congregations, known as Jamaat, with as many people as possible participating. Therefore, it is unusual for only six people to perform the Eid prayers together.)
— Hyderabad (Telangana): On Sunday, June 8, in Attapur, a group of individuals identifying as cow protectors reportedly surrounded a Muslim driver who was transporting bulls to a cattle yard. They beat him, stole his mobile phone and cash, and, in an apparent attempt to stir communal tensions, began throwing stones while shouting “Jai Shri Ram.” Thanks to the swift response and caution of the police, a potentially larger incident was prevented, though three officers were injured. Within 24 hours, the police arrested five individuals involved in the attack and placed them in judicial custody. Several other suspects remain at large, and authorities are actively searching for them.
— Hyderabad (Telangana): On the night of June 8, tensions flared on Jalpalli Road, on the outskirts of the city, when a group of Hindu individuals reportedly damaged a DCM vehicle carrying animal waste to a company in Jalpalli. They also attacked the driver while chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram‘ and set the vehicle on fire. Police arrived at the scene but were met with stone-pelting. In response, authorities used a baton charge (lathicharge) to regain control of the situation. Meanwhile, a provocative social media post targeting Muslims and traditions associated with Eid al-Adha sparked anger among locals, leading to protests outside the Musheerabad police station.
— Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh): Tensions escalated on the night of Eid al-Adha when reports emerged of a severed cow’s head being found in a park near Kashiram Colony on Hamirpur Road. Some attempts were made to frame the incident as a religious issue. However, the swift response from the police and local authorities, along with a report from veterinarians, clarified the situation. The report confirmed that the cow had died 48 hours earlier and that its head had been dragged to the location by stray dogs. The police have identified the owner of the cattle and urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors.
— Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): Tensions erupted in the Govardhan area after animal remains were allegedly discovered near the Idgah on Barsana Road. A heated confrontation broke out between members of the Gau Raksha Dal, who arrived at the scene, and the police. Hindutva organizations accused Muslims of cow slaughter in connection with Eid. The unrest continued in Govardhan well into the night, with the situation remaining tense. In response, the police registered a case against 74 individuals, and the animal remains were seized and sent for forensic analysis. Despite these developments, Hindutva leader Indresh Kaushik made inflammatory remarks, openly advocating violence against Muslims, which further heightened fear and anxiety within the Muslim community.
— Meerut (Uttar Pradesh): Tensions flared on Julheda Road in the Sardhana area when locals protested over sacrificial remains being discarded in the open. It is alleged that the remains were thrown there by municipal workers from a cart. SDM Diksha Joshi has taken the matter seriously and ordered an investigation. She stated that once the inquiry is completed, appropriate action will be taken against the responsible employees.
— Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh): On the first day of Eid al-Adha, communal tensions flared in Jaula village in the Budhana area. It is alleged that after the sacrifice, some individuals buried the remains in the cremation ground, which angered members of the Hindu community. In response, a large group of villagers gathered at the site and began protesting.
— Nizamabad (Telangana): In Sirnapally, a group of 50-60 individuals reportedly linked to Bajrang Dal allegedly attacked a Muslim family with swords on the night of Eid al-Adha. The victims included Ahmed Ullah Khan, his wife Rizwana Begum, and their sons Majeed and Aman Khan. According to reports, the mob attacked their home around 8 pm, causing head injuries to the family members, tearing Rizwana Begum’s clothes, and assaulting the entire family, including the children.
— Pune (Maharashtra): The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) closed the Sarasbaug Garden for the entire day on the second day of Eid al-Adha for Muslims. This decision was made following a request from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, who expressed concerns that Eid al-Adha celebrations in the park could undermine the “sanctity” of the historic temple located there. In response, the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal strongly condemned the PMC’s action, calling it a violation of civil rights and an insult to the Muslim community, especially since the closure occurred without a proper investigation.
— Rishikesh (Uttarakhand): On the day of Eid al-Adha, members of a Hindutva group allegedly broke into the home of a Muslim family and vandalized it. According to media reports, when the family had traveled to their hometown to celebrate Eid, the perpetrators entered the vacant house, damaged property, and also threatened other residents in the neighborhood, telling them to leave Uttarakhand or face violence. The extremists reportedly also raised provocative slogans. The police have registered a case against a local official of a right-wing organization and 25 unidentified individuals in connection with the incident.
— Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh): Tensions were sparked in the area after animal remains were found near the Sheetla Temple in Robertsganj on Sunday morning. In response, Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar stated that a police team arrived at the scene promptly after receiving the report at 7 am. The investigation revealed that the remains had not been placed there intentionally, but were dragged by stray dogs from a nearby disposal pit.
— Sribhumi (Assam): Tensions arose in Mashli village on Eid al-Adha when reports emerged that a Muslim family had allegedly sacrificed a cow. Upon receiving this information, the police arrived at the scene and managed to bring the situation under control. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, accused of being involved in the sacrifice. However, the police have stated that the allegations have not yet been verified.
— Yadgir (Karnataka): Bajrang Dal activists alleged that more than 20 cows were slaughtered in Gurusungi village, located in Wadgera taluk. The police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) for violations related to the cow slaughter.
After Eid al-Adha
— Hyderabad (Telangana): Late on the night of June 10, individuals affiliated with a right-wing group, armed with sticks and swords, reportedly damaged a paan shop in the Raidurgam area of Cyberabad. Following this, they attacked Muslim youth present at the scene, forcing them to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” which heightened tensions in the area. The Muslim youth sustained serious injuries in the attack. Local residents suggest that this was a coordinated assault aimed at inciting communal unrest.
Afroz Alam Sahil is a journalist and author. He can be contacted at @afrozsahil on X.
