Gaurakshak Ganesh Shelke, a prominent Hindu activist against illegal cattle slaughter and cow smuggling, was viciously attacked by a group of radical Islamists in Chikalthana, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, shockingly, in broad daylight and despite police protection.
According to reports shared by Sakal Hindu Samaj, the assailants, allegedly linked to illegal slaughter operations in the area, not only assaulted Gaurakshak Shelke but also threatened the police personnel present at the scene when they attempted to intervene. As per the Organiser reports, eyewitnesses stated that the attackers wielded sharp weapons, creating chaos and panic in the industrial locality known for its proliferation of unlicensed slaughter points. Reinforcements had to be deployed to control the situation.
The Hindu organization strongly condemned the attack and called upon Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, to ensure immediate and strict action. They urged authorities, including @CSNCityPolice and @HMOIndia, to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the Islamist perpetrators and to launch an immediate demolition drive against all illegal slaughterhouses in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and surrounding areas. An FIR (No. 0589, P.S. SIDCO, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, dated 07/10/2025) has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 of BNS).
Social media reactions highlighted that this assault was not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of attacks on Gaurakshaks and the unchecked illegal meat trade across Maharashtra. The organization emphasized that these illegal establishments not only violate animal protection laws but also serve as hubs for organized criminal activity, posing a serious threat to public safety.
This brutal attack underscores the urgent need for decisive action against organized Islamic crime networks involved in illegal slaughter operations and the protection of those standing up against such unlawful activities.
Gaurakshaks have been repeatedly targeted by cow smugglers and, at times, even by police across Bharat. In one incident, a Gaurakshak lost his life and six others were injured when a group of cattle smugglers launched a brutal attack. The assailants used sticks and sharp weapons, highlighting the dangers faced by those who protect cows.
Similar attacks have continued over the years. In 2023, Gaurakshaks were again attacked with sticks and sharp weapons by cattle smugglers, resulting in one death and six injuries. In 2016, Vivek Premi, a Gaurakshak from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, stated, “I have learned to live with death threats,” reflecting the constant risk faced by these protectors.
This series of attacks highlights the challenging situation of Gaurakshaks in Bharat, where cows are revered as Gaumata, the sacred mother. Protecting her comes with significant risks and sacrifices. People loudly defend the consumption of beef and even celebrate it, yet when a herd of dogs attacks a child, they shout slogans about humanity and rush to save the animals. Where is that same humanity when we seek to protect our sacred Gaumata, revered as mother, and oppose her killing? Why are voices against cow slaughter silenced by leftist circles while double standards prevail, celebrating some lives but ignoring others? This is the result of turning a blind eye; Gaurakshaks are being brutally attacked while protecting cows. The government must take this matter seriously and ensure their safety immediately.
