Vigilante Violence in Raisen: Cow Smuggling Suspicion Turns Deadly, One Killed, Another Fights for Life—Bajrang Dal Under Fire

Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, June 2024 —
It was a night that would scar families, ignite communal tensions, and once again expose the deadly consequences of mob justice in India. In the early hours of June 6th, a dairy businessman was beaten to death and his companion left clinging to life on a ventilator, after a group of suspected cow vigilantes intercepted their vehicle near the quiet village of Mehgaon, close to Sanchi in Raisen district. The incident, laced with brutality and allegations against members of the Bajrang Dal, has sent shockwaves across the nation.

The Fateful Night: A Deadly Ambush

It was around 2:30 a.m. on June 5th when the streets of Raisen should have been silent. Instead, a convoy of about 10 to 15 men, fueled by suspicion and rage, chased down a vehicle believed to be transporting cattle. Inside were two young men—Junaid Qureshi, a 35-year-old dairy operator from Bhopal’s Jehangirabad area, and his associate, 21-year-old Armaan.

According to eyewitnesses and family accounts, the attackers forced the vehicle to a halt on a deserted stretch between Sanchi and Raisen. What followed was a night of unimaginable horror. The two men were dragged from their vehicle and beaten savagely, the blows falling relentlessly for hours. The attackers, emboldened by the darkness and a sense of impunity, left the victims battered and bleeding.

A Life Lost, Another in Peril

By morning, Junaid Qureshi’s life was hanging by a thread. He was rushed to Vidisha Medical College, but his injuries were too severe. On June 6th, as the sun rose over Raisen, Junaid succumbed to his wounds. His family, shattered by grief, described him as a hardworking man who ran a dairy business, buying cows for milk production—a routine practice, now turned fatal.

Armaan, his companion, wasn’t spared either. He remains in critical condition, fighting for his life on a ventilator at Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital. His father, Zafaruddin, could barely hold back tears as he recounted the ordeal: “They beat my son and Junaid all night. Junaid is gone. My son is only 21. He is still on the ventilator, between life and death.”

The Accusations: Bajrang Dal in the Dock

As news of the incident broke, the families of the victims pointed fingers squarely at members of the Bajrang Dal, a right-wing Hindu nationalist group notorious for its self-styled cow protection squads. “Junaid was just doing his job, buying cows for his dairy,” said Maj Qureshi, Junaid’s brother. “He was not smuggling cows. This was murder, not justice.”

The families allege that not only were the men beaten, but the attackers also robbed them of lakhs of rupees they carried for the cattle purchase. “They looted them, then left them for dead,” Maj Qureshi added, his voice trembling with anger.

Police Action and Arrests

The Raisen police, under mounting public pressure, quickly registered an FIR against 10 to 15 unidentified assailants. Within hours, three men were arrested: Dhruv Chaturvedi and Gagan Dubey from Vidisha, and Rampal Rajput from Kararia. All three, police say, have prior records of animal cruelty, illegal cattle transport, and assault.

Raisen SDOP Pratibha Sharma, speaking to local media, confirmed the arrests but maintained that the accused’s links to any organization were still under investigation. “We are looking into all allegations, including those involving Bajrang Dal,” she stated. “The viral videos from the night are being treated as evidence. More arrests are likely as names come to light.”

Viral Videos: Evidence of Horror

Videos from that night, now circulating widely on social media, paint a chilling picture. In grainy footage, the two young men are seen surrounded by a mob, pleading for mercy as blows rain down. The cries for help, the jeers of the attackers, and the apparent lack of intervention from bystanders have sparked outrage and disgust.

“These videos are not just evidence—they are a mirror to our society’s descent into lawlessness,” said a local activist, refusing to be named for fear of reprisal.

Mob Justice: A Growing Menace

The Raisen incident is far from isolated. In recent years, India has witnessed a disturbing rise in vigilante violence, often in the name of cow protection. Dozens have died, many more injured, as mobs take the law into their own hands, targeting those they suspect—often from minority communities—of involvement in cattle transport or slaughter.

Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that such attacks, fueled by communal hatred and political impunity, are eroding the very fabric of Indian democracy. “This is not cow protection. This is cold-blooded murder,” said Shabnam Hashmi, a prominent activist. “The government must act decisively to end this bloodshed.”

The Victims: Dreams Destroyed, Families Broken

For the families of Junaid and Armaan, the tragedy is personal and profound. Junaid, a father of two, was the sole breadwinner for his family. His wife, now widowed, faces an uncertain future. “He left home that night to buy cows for our dairy. He never came back,” she sobbed.

Armaan’s parents keep vigil at his hospital bedside, praying for a miracle. “He is just a boy,” his mother whispered. “He wanted to help his father in the dairy. Now he may never walk again.”

The Local Reaction: Fear and Anger

In Raisen and surrounding villages, fear hangs heavy in the air. Dairy farmers and cattle traders, many of them from minority communities, are afraid to travel at night. “Every time we go out to buy cows, we wonder if we’ll come back alive,” said one trader, requesting anonymity.

The incident has also stoked communal tensions. Protests erupted in Bhopal and Vidisha, with demonstrators demanding justice for the victims and strict action against the perpetrators. “Enough is enough. We will not be silent while our sons are lynched,” chanted protestors outside the Raisen police station.

Political Fallout: The Bajrang Dal Controversy

The involvement of Bajrang Dal members, alleged by the victims’ families, has reignited a bitter debate over the group’s role in vigilantism. While the police have not officially confirmed any organizational links, the group’s history of aggressive “cow protection” activities is well documented.

Leaders from the opposition have seized on the incident to attack the ruling government. “The BJP’s silence is complicity,” said a Congress spokesperson. “How many more must die before these violent mobs are disbanded?”

The Police Response: Promises and Skepticism

Raisen SP and SDOP Pratibha Sharma have promised a thorough investigation. “We have already upgraded the charges from attempted murder to murder, and more arrests will follow as the investigation progresses,” Sharma said.

But for many, these assurances ring hollow. “We have seen too many cases where the guilty walk free,” said a local journalist. “Will this time be different?”

A Pattern of Impunity

The Raisen lynching is just the latest in a series of similar attacks across India. According to data from human rights organizations, more than 50 people have been killed in cow-related vigilante violence since 2015, the vast majority from Muslim or Dalit backgrounds.

In many cases, investigations drag on, and convictions are rare. “The message is clear: mobs can kill with impunity, especially if their victims are from minority communities,” said a report by Amnesty International.

The National Outcry: Demands for Justice

The Raisen incident has sparked a national outcry, with politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens demanding justice for Junaid and Armaan. Hashtags like #JusticeForJunaid and #StopMobLynching trended on social media, as thousands expressed their horror and solidarity.

Prominent figures, including Bollywood actors and religious leaders, have called for urgent legal reforms to curb vigilante violence. “This is not the India we want,” tweeted a well-known actor. “No one should die for doing their job.”

The Road Ahead: Will Justice Be Served?

As the investigation continues, the families of Junaid and Armaan wait for answers—and for justice. The police have promised swift action, but the road to accountability is long and uncertain.

For now, the streets of Raisen are quieter, but the fear remains. Dairy farmers and cattle traders look over their shoulders, wondering if they will be the next victims of vigilante violence.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The Raisen tragedy is a grim reminder of the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for reform. As India grapples with the fallout, one question haunts the nation: How many more must die before the violence ends?

For Junaid, it is already too late. For Armaan, hope flickers on a hospital ventilator. For the rest of India, the time for action is now.