“Today I have celebrated my honeymoon with the mother of Hindus”: Bhura Shaikh arrested for sodomising a cow in Moradabad
Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India 
14 June, 2024
Case Summary
On June 15 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a video circulating on social media showed a Muslim man named Bhura Shaikh doing sodomy with a cow. The police filed an FIR and arrested the accused. In the viral video, the man can be seen sodomising a cow tied to a post in the darkness of night. The cow repeatedly tried to escape the accused’s grasp but was continuously pulled back. Vishwa Hindu Parishad sent a letter to the police, stating that, in addition to many cows, the accused Shaikh has also made female dogs and goats victims of his perversion. A VHP leader said that Bhura, the accused, bragged about committing sexual acts with cows to his companions, reportedly saying, “Today I have celebrated my honeymoon with the mother of Hindus.” When confronted about the incident on June 15, Bhura threatened to kill the questioners and stated, “Do whatever you want. Tell Modi and Yogi.” The VHP noted that due to Bhura’s criminal behaviour, many people hesitated to stand against him.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers, and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols that have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crime. In this case, the Muslim perpetrator specifically defiled and committed brutality against a cow because the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. The motivation for his crime was the desecration of what the Hindus hold sacred, evidenced by his statement that he had 'celebrated honeymoon with the mother of Hindus'. Since the act of sodomy with the cow was driven by animosity towards Hindus and the intention to desecrate a sacred symbol of Hinduism, this case is being categorized as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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