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Bharatiya Gau Raksha Dal

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Bhartiya Gau Raksha Dal
AbbreviationBGRD
Formation24 August 2012 (12 years ago) (2012-08-24)
FounderPawan Pandit[1]
TypeRight-wing Hindu nationalist organisation
PurposeSupporting Hindu nationalism, Cow Protection Movement
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Region served
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Official language
Hindi
Chairman
Pawan Pandit[1]
WebsiteOfficial website [2]

The Bhartiya Gau Raksha Dal (lit. 'Indian Cow Protection Organization'; abbr.:BGRD) is a Hindutva group and right-wing federation of cattle protection movements in India affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and a member of the Sangh Parivar.[3] It provides guidance and support in the construction of protective shelters for cattle and is supporting cattle protection movements all over India, and often engages in vigilante violence against minorities, primarily Muslims and Dalits. This organization is not affiliated with any political party and its members are all volunteers. It was founded in 2012 by Pawan Pandit.[4][5]

Activities

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In supporting the creation of new cattle protection groups, the organisation has set up more than 32 groups in different Indian states. The organisation has vigilante paramilitary links.[6][7] It has spearheaded a campaign against the killing of cattle, filing many complaints against those who were found to have participated in such acts.[8] A member of the group was appointed to the cattle protection state committee in Punjab, strengthening the group's influence.[9] The organisation has a ‘Gau Commando Force’ — primarily vigilantes who patrol state borders for people smuggling cows, bulls and other members of the bovine family, and also conduct raids on slaughterhouses.[10]

The organisation has been involved in countless attacks against Muslims and Dalits. One prominent case was the group's involvement in the lynching of Pehlu Khan, a Muslim dairy farmer in Rajasthan in 2017. Khan was transporting cows purchased legally for dairy production but was accused of cow smuggling and brutally beaten by cow vigilantes. He later died due to injuries.[11] Other cases include the beating of 7 Dalit men and 2 women in July 2016.[12] Despite evidence, many of the accused have faced minimal legal consequences.

While Pawan Pandit claims to condemn violence, the group has been criticised by many for policing and religious violence.[1][11][12][13][14][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Masoodi, Ashwaq (26 July 2016). "Who is a Gau Rakshak?". LiveMint.
  2. ^ Gittinger, Juli L. (2018). Hinduism and Hindu Nationalism Online. Routledge. p. 169. ISBN 9781351103633.
  3. ^ "RSS' India model comes to Gujarat". Hindustan Times. 31 July 2016.
  4. ^ "The BGRD - Our Story". The BGRD. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016.
  5. ^ Salam, Ziya Us (2019). Lynch Files: The Forgotten Saga of Victims of Hate Crime. SAGE Publications India. p. 57. ISBN 9789353282202.
  6. ^ "Bhartiya Gau Raksha Dal Website". The BGRD.
  7. ^ "India: 'Cow Protection' Spurs Vigilante Violence". Human Rights Watch. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  8. ^ "BGRD Campaign for Apprehending Cattle Killers". Ranchi Express. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Indian Cattle Protection State Committee appointed in Punjab". Dainik Bhaskar. 3 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Bringing the cows home". Business Line. 10 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Emboldened by Modi's ascent, India's cow vigilantes deny Muslims their livelihood". Reuters. 6 November 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Beatings for the Publicity 'In the Name of the Cow'". NDTV. 28 July 2016.
  13. ^ ""Vigilantes have no Role Here", Comments the Hindustan Times". Hindustan Times. 25 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Haryana Police to Work with Cattle Vigilantes". Newslaundry. 19 July 2016.
  15. ^ "'A cow's life is more precious than a human being's'". Rediff. 11 April 2017.
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