Attack on Hindu sentiments: Remains of dead cow selectively thrown outside Hindu homes
Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, India 
26 February, 2025
Case Summary
In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the remains of a cow were deliberately placed outside Hindu homes, sparking outrage among local Hindus. According to media reports, the incident occurred in the Dariyabad locality, where the severed head of a cow was found outside the residence of a Hindu businessman named Gopal Agarwal. Similarly, a cow’s leg was discovered outside the home of another Hindu resident named Deepak Kapoor. The incident occurred after the Maha Kumbh Mela. Following the discovery, tensions rose in the area, prompting locals and members of the Hindu rights group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to gather at the scene. Upon being informed, police teams from three different stations arrived to maintain law and order. A team of veterinary doctors also conducted a preliminary investigation and removed the remains of the mutilated cow. Gopal Agarwal subsequently filed a police complaint, and a case was registered against unidentified individuals. An investigation was launched to apprehend those responsible for this act. Police officer Sanjay Dwivedi stated that the act was intended to create communal disharmony. The complainant, Gopal Agarwal, stated that this was the third such incident of cow mutilation in the past five months. He also said that, on two previous occasions, cow remains were found outside his house, but the police had not taken any action.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within this, the subcategory selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbols. 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 which 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. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. This incident in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where the remains of a dead cow were found outside Hindu homes, constitutes a clear case of hate crime. This act cannot be viewed in isolation, given the deep religious significance of the cow in Hinduism, the targeted nature of the act, and its repeated occurrence, which makes this an instance of religiously motivated crime against Hindus. For Hindus, the cow is not just an animal but a revered symbol of abundance, motherhood, and non-violence. It is often referred to as Gau Mata and regarded as a source of prosperity and purity. The cow is a most sacred animal for Hindus. In many cases, non-Hindu perpetrators deliberately slaughter cows and throw their remains in the vicinity of Hindu temples or near Hindu homes, with the intent to hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. Such instances are clear examples of religiously motivated crimes against Hindus. In this case, the deliberate placement of cow remains outside the homes of Hindu residents is not a random act but a well-calculated attempt to offend and provoke the Hindu community. Such acts are designed to insult religious sentiments, instil fear, and create a sense of vulnerability among the targeted group, Hindus. The fact that the remains of a cow were placed specifically outside Hindu households underscores the intent to single out and antagonise the Hindu community based on their religious identity. What makes this incident egregious is its repeated occurrence. According to the complainant, Gopal Agarwal, this was the third such incident in the past five months. On previous occasions, cow remains were also found outside his home, yet no action was taken. This pattern indicates a sustained campaign of religious intimidation, rather than an isolated act. Such acts of selective targeting of Hindu homes signal a broader attempt to mock and provoke Hindu sentiments and instil fear within the Hindu community. In this case, even though the perpetrators are unknown, the act was carried out by religious animosity towards Hindus and their faith; therefore, it is being added to the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
