Dalit Man Assaulted and Forced to Eat Cattle Dung by Cow Vigilantes in Maharashtra

Mumbai, India Aug 29, 2026 ALN: In a shocking incident in Maharashtra, six individuals, suspected to be members of the Bajrang Dal, have been accused of assaulting a Dalit man and forcing him to eat cattle dung. This occurred after they accused him of attempting to sell a bull he had legally purchased in Jalna district. The victim, Parameshwar Suhas Hiwale, who was accompanied by his 11-year-old son, reported that the vigilantes also threatened to humiliate his child during the assault. The incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation, underscores the ongoing issues of caste-based violence and vigilantism in India, particularly against marginalized communities.

The incident took place in May 2026, but Hiwale only lodged a First Information Report (FIR) on August 27, 2026, after a video of the attack went viral online. Following the complaint, a case was registered at the Taluka police station under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This delay in reporting the incident raises questions about the fear and intimidation that victims of such crimes often face, particularly in a social landscape that can be hostile to those from lower castes.

Details of the Assault

According to police inspector Santosh Sable, the accused have been identified as Venkatesh Bhagat, Arjun Singh, Shivraj Picchade, Somesh Patil, Yash Sarkate, and Ritesh Deshmukh. Hiwale, a truck driver, explained that he was returning to Jalna with his son and an acquaintance, Narayan Maroti Kamble, who had hired him to transport a bull from the weekly cattle market in Deulgaon Raja town. This context is crucial, as it highlights the everyday activities of individuals in rural India who rely on livestock for their livelihood.

As they traveled through the Kanhaiyanagar area of Jalna, a group claiming to be cow protectors allegedly followed them on motorbikes and blocked their vehicle. One of the assailants confronted Hiwale, demanding to know what was in the truck. Despite Hiwale showing them the legal documents for the bull, the group did not listen and resorted to violence, slapping him and using casteist slurs when he identified himself. This reaction reflects a broader trend of cow vigilantism that has been on the rise in India, where individuals take the law into their own hands, often targeting those from lower castes or marginalized communities under the guise of protecting cows, which are considered sacred in ism.

Forced to Consume Cattle Dung

In a disturbing turn of events, one of the attackers retrieved cattle dung from the back of the truck and forced it into Hiwale's mouth. They attempted to do the same to his son, but Hiwale managed to intervene. The entire incident was recorded on a mobile phone, and the assailants threatened to leave both Hiwale and his son naked on the roadside. They also assaulted Kamble and damaged the vehicle during the attack. The act of forcing a person to consume cattle dung is particularly heinous, as it not only serves as a physical assault but also carries deep cultural and caste-based implications, aimed at humiliating the victim and asserting dominance over him.

The accused further threatened to kill Hiwale and his family if he reported the incident to the police, accusing him of planning to sell the bull to a Muslim butcher. This allegation plays into communal tensions that have been exacerbated by the rise of cow vigilantism, where individuals are often accused of selling or slaughtering cows based on their religion. These accusations can lead to violent reprisals, as seen in this case, and create an atmosphere of fear among marginalized communities.

Police Response

According to Hiwale's complaint, police arrived at the scene on May 23, where a crowd had gathered. All three victims were taken to a local police station in Jalna. However, Jalna Deputy Superintendent of Police Anant Kulkarni stated that Hiwale was found transporting three cows and two other cattle in closed trailers attached to his vehicle. The police seized the vehicle and the animals, registering a separate complaint under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This investigation is also still in progress. The police's actions raise questions about their role in such incidents, as they seem to have prioritized the alleged violation of animal rights over the violent assault on Hiwale, reflecting a troubling trend where the rights of animals are sometimes given precedence over the rights of human beings, particularly those from marginalized communities.

This incident highlights the ongoing issues of caste-based violence and vigilantism in India, raising concerns about the safety of marginalized communities. The rise of cow protection groups has led to numerous incidents of violence against individuals from lower castes, who are often seen as easy targets for such vigilante justice. The implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate violence faced by Hiwale and his family; they reflect a broader societal issue where caste discrimination and communal tensions continue to shape the experiences of individuals in India.

Moreover, the lack of arrests following the incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing such crimes. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and education regarding caste issues and the rights of marginalized communities. As incidents like these continue to occur, it is imperative for society to engage in meaningful dialogue about caste discrimination and work towards a more inclusive and just society for all, irrespective of caste or community. The government and law enforcement agencies must take proactive measures to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators of violence accountable to foster an environment where individuals can live without fear of caste-based violence and discrimination.