In Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, a significant controversy has erupted involving a Muslim youth named Javed, who is accused of slaughtering a cow on Bakrid (June 17). This incident has sparked outrage among Hindu rights organisations. According to these groups, Javed, who owns a garments shop in Nahan, slaughtered a cow and then posted a photo of the act on his WhatsApp status. In response, Hindu organisations staged a protest outside Javed’s shop. Currently, Javed is absconding.
Javed, originally from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has been running a ready-made garments shop in Nahan for the past 1.5 years. On Bakrid, Javed shared pictures of an animal sacrifice on his WhatsApp status. The image shows him smiling and holding a knife near a slaughtered animal, with several people in the background.
Hindu rights organisations claim that Javed slaughtered a cow and publicised the act on his WhatsApp. They protested at Javed’s shop in Nahan, demanding action against him and asserting that he should never be allowed to operate a business in Nahan again. There are reports that some participants in this rally became violent. Additionally, Hindu organisations have planned a rally in Nahan.
Following the incident, Javed fled Nahan, and the police are currently searching for him. Hindu organisations have filed a complaint with the police. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Nahan police station informed that it is likely Javed did not perform the sacrifice in Nahan. An investigation is underway to determine Javed’s whereabouts and the specifics of the sacrificed animal. The SHO noted that the local community in Nahan is deeply upset by Javed’s alleged actions.
A video of the protest organised by Hindu organisations has gone viral, showing a large crowd gathered in front of Javed’s shop. Hindu organisations are calling for stricter verification processes for outsiders from other communities who wish to open shops in Nahan, suggesting that prior approval should be required.
A Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist claimed that Muslim outsiders are renting shops at exorbitant rates throughout Himachal Pradesh, including Nahan. He accused these individuals of disrupting societal peace by securing rental properties at prices unaffordable for the average person. He also mentioned the possibility of taking action against Javed in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
