Haryana BJP Government Criticized Over Faridabad Student’s Murder

On August 23, 2024, Aryan Mishra, a 12th-grade student, was fatally shot near the Gadpuri toll on the Delhi-Agra highway in Faridabad, Haryana. The assailants, identified as Adesh, Krishna, Varun, and Anil Kaushik, were reportedly cow protectors who mistook Mishra for a cow smuggler. The police have arrested these suspects and recovered the weapon used in the crime.

Political Fallout

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), has sharply criticized the Haryana government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in response to the incident. Owaisi condemned the state administration, accusing it of being complicit in the violence that occurs under the guise of cow protection. He linked the recent murder of Aryan Mishra to previous high-profile cases, including the deaths of Sabir, Naseer, and Junaid, arguing that these incidents reflect systemic issues under the BJP government.

Chief Minister’s Response

Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini has defended his administration’s stance on cow protection laws. He stated that the state has enacted stringent measures to safeguard cows, underscoring the strong emotional ties that local communities have with these animals. Saini acknowledged the unfortunate nature of lynching incidents but insisted that the government remains firm in its commitment to cow protection. He noted that while such incidents are regrettable, they are reactions by villagers who are deeply connected to the issue.

Context of Previous Violence

The controversy is compounded by a recent violent incident in Badhra village, Charkhi Dadri district. There, a migrant laborer from West Bengal was beaten to death by alleged members of a Gau Rakshak group on suspicion of consuming beef. This incident has further intensified scrutiny of the Haryana government’s policies and its handling of cow protection-related violence.

The murder of Aryan Mishra and these related incidents have sparked widespread debate over the role of state policies in exacerbating communal tensions and violence under the pretext of cow protection.