Cow vigilantism on a rise, targeting religious minorities: UN

In India the cows have been idolized and worshipped by Hindus since centuries. But in 2014, after the BJP led NDA rose to power, cows suddenly grabbed all eyes and gained the prominent attention in the Indian politics.

Just as the cows came into the lime light, so did the cases of vigilante groups, who were fixing alleged cow traders in the name of cow protection. According to the UN reports, there has been a substantial increase in the cow vigilante violence, which was basically targeting the religious minorities, since 2015.

In May 2017, the Modi government banned the trade of cows for slaughter across the country, which drastically affected the multi-billion dollar meat and the leather industry, although killing cows for meat or trade was already prohibited in most states across the county.

In June 2017, newly elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath targeted slaughterhouses, claiming that the ones that are being shut down had been functioning illegally.

The Supreme Court suspended the government's cattle trade ban in July 2017. But it was already too late as the industries were severely affected. The vigilantism, the bans on abattoirs, tanneries and the demonizing of eating of beef made the citizens re think about the Modi government's true intentions.

Now with the Lok Sabha elections right around the corner, the question that comes to each and every person's mind is if the cows will or will now impact the elections.