Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma blames ‘misunderstanding’ for killing of man

After the killing, fear spread across the village and nearby areas as another group of the infuriated mob took to the street and unleashed violence demanding capital punishment for those involved in the alleged slaughter of a cow.

“An announcement was made at a local temple that a cow has been slaughtered here, following which a large number of people attacked our family”, said Jaan Mohammad, a relative. Police have arrested 6 persons so far.

In March, the state of Maharashtra toughened its ban to make even possessing beef illegal, a move seen by religious minorities as a sign of the growing power of hardline Hindus since nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. They claimed that the rumor was part of a conspiracy and said their house is too small to slaughter a cow. His elder son Sartaz works with the Indian Air Force and is now posted in Chennai. “They harassed me and also beat up my grandmother”, she said. “The situation is under control”, said the police chief.

Ikhlaq’s daughter said the mob tried to attack both her and her mother, before they turned to the men.

The family, however, has denied all allegations and has claimed that the story was concocted. Asgari added, “The attack continued for almost half an hour, but no one came to our rescue. But who gave them the right to kill my father?” SP (rural) Sanjay Singh said Iqlakh’s body has been handed over to his family after an autopsy, the report of which suggested that he died due to severe blood loss and haemmorage. The arrested have been identified as Rupinder, Vivek, Sree Om, Sandeep, Saurabh and Gaurav, all in their late 20s. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the District Magistrate. “We urge people to restore peace”, he said.

Meat found at the Ikhlaq family’s house has been sent to a laboratory for forensic testing, and the results are expected in about two weeks.

District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar N P Singh said there have been protests by villagers demanding action against those involved in the slaughter of a cow. Then a few people got agitated.