A severed cow’s head found at the Bhagwan Jagannath Mandir in Jaora, Ratlam, ignited massive protests and tension in the city. The incident, which occurred on June 14, led to widespread outrage among the Hindu community and prompted significant law enforcement action.
The desecration came to light early June 14 morning when the temple priest discovered the bleeding head of a cow’s calf on the premises. He immediately alerted the police and residents. The sight of the cow’s head, considered sacred in Hinduism, sparked anger, leading to protests organised by various Hindu groups.
In response, protesters shut down the market in Jaora and blocked a major four-lane road. The situation escalated as a large crowd, accompanied by Hindu organisations, marched to the Jaora police station, demanding swift justice and a public procession of the accused.
In Ratlam (MP) a chopped head of cow was put in a Hindu temple.
After investigation the MP Police arrested Zakir & Shakir in this case.Isn't it an act of provocation? pic.twitter.com/9ppwOLcvmX
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) June 14, 2024
Senior police and administrative officials, including CSP Durgesh Armo, DIG Manoj Singh, and district collector Rajesh Batham, attempted to negotiate with the protesters. Despite their efforts, the crowd refused to disperse, forcing the police to resort to tear gas and lathi charges to control the situation.
In a related development, a truck carrying 26 cows overturned in Ratlam, resulting in the deaths of 14 cows. This incident further fueled the unrest, with Hindu activists setting the truck on fire, exacerbating the tension in the area.
Following an immediate investigation, the police identified two suspects, Zakir and Shakir, from CCTV footage. The footage showed the two individuals arriving on a motorcycle and throwing the cow’s head into the temple premises around 2:41 AM on the night of June 13-14. ASP Rakesh Khakha confirmed their arrest and announced that a case had been registered for inciting religious sentiments.
Upon their arrest, authorities demolished the accused’s houses, citing unauthorised construction. This action led to a large crowd gathering at the demolition site, necessitating a heavy police presence to maintain order. The police assured the public that the investigation was ongoing and that any additional suspects would be apprehended.
City Qazi Hafiz Bhuru Bhaijaan condemned the incident and appealed for peace, urging people to refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media. Mandsaur MP Sudhir Gupta also condemned the act and emphasised the need for strict action against the culprits.
On June 14 evening, the temple was purified and cleaned, and a curfew-like situation was established in the city with a significant police deployment to prevent further escalation.
