Himachal Pradesh: Javed put cow-slaughtering picture on WhatsApp status on Bakrid; tensions flare in Nahan

Protests erupted in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district after Muslim youth named Javed posted photos of alleged cow slaughter as status on his WhatsApp on Bakrid.

Currently, Javed is absconding.

Javed is a resident of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and 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 showed him smiling and holding a knife near a slaughtered animal. Several people were also seen in the background.

This incident has sparked outrage among Hindu rights organisations. They claim that Javed slaughtered a cow on Bakrid and publicised the act on his WhatsApp.

They protested at Javed’s shop, demanding action against him and asserting that he should never be allowed to operate a business in Nahan again.

Hindu organisations are calling for stricter verification processes for outsiders from other communities who want to open shops in Nahan, suggesting that prior approval should be required.

Hindu organisations have filed a complaint with the police. Senior police official 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.