Pregnant cow slaughtered, members of Hindu organisations fired upon
Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, India 
7 March, 2025
Case Summary
In Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, some unknown miscreants slaughtered a five-month-pregnant cow. When members of Hindu organisations arrived at the scene after learning about the incident, they were fired upon by the culprits. According to reports, the incident took place on the morning of March 7 in the Sita Bavdi area of Damoh. Hindu organisations had received information about a cow being slaughtered inside a house in Kasai Mandi. However, by the time they reached the location, the perpetrators had already killed the pregnant cow. As they attempted to report the crime, the attackers opened fire on them, prompting them to alert the police. Veterinary doctor RK Asati, who conducted the post-mortem, revealed that the cow had been butchered into pieces. Inside the cow’s womb, he found a five-month-old calf, which survived briefly after its mother’s death but eventually succumbed. Additional SP Sandeep Mishra confirmed that a case was registered against unidentified accused under Section 307 of the IPC, the Madhya Pradesh Gauvansh Vadh Pratished Adhiniyam, 2004, and laws pertaining to hurting religious sentiments. Several suspects were detained on the spot, and officials assured that arrests would follow soon. In a swift crackdown, the administration bulldozed the illegal structures belonging to the accused. In response to the gruesome act, Hindu organizations called for a bandh in the area, organized protest marches, and burned effigies to express their outrage.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The incident has been added to the tracker under two prime categories. The first is- Attack not resulting in death and within this, the sub-category selected is- Attacked for opposing radicals or trying to save victim. In several cases, Hindus are attacked for opposing religiously motivated crimes being committed against a fellow Hindu or simply for voicing an opinion opposing radical elements, who either have in the past or continue to persecute Hindus. In such cases, the initial attack against the victim, against which the Hindu was trying to defend the victim, would also need to be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Since the initial crime itself was religiously motivated and the subsequent crime of attempting to save the victim or speaking against the radical elements ends up inviting a violent attack, it would also be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. The second category under which this case has been placed is- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within this, the sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. 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. The deliberate slaughter of a pregnant cow, a deeply revered animal in Hinduism, and the subsequent violent attack on Hindu individuals who opposed this act illustrate a clear pattern of religious hostility. In Hinduism, the cow is considered sacred, often associated with divinity, nourishment, and motherhood. The killing of a cow, particularly a pregnant one, is not merely an act of illegal slaughter but a direct assault on Hindu religious beliefs. Further, when Hindu individuals arrived at the scene, they were not only threatened but also shot at, indicating a premeditated act of aggression. Such a violent and disproportionate response underscores the intent to suppress any Hindu resistance to the sacrilegious act, effectively punishing them for defending their religious beliefs. Thus, this crime is not merely about illegal cow slaughter but a calculated act of religious provocation. The sacrilegious killing of a revered animal, coupled with a violent crackdown on those defending Hindu sentiments, establishes this incident as a religiously motivated hate crime. It is also important to mention here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed out of hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
