Two Muslim women in Madhya Pradesh were thrashed by ‘gau rakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) for 30 minutes and verbally abused over a rumour that they were carrying large quantities of beef with them. 

This shocking (or not so shocking anymore) incident occurred at Mandsaur railway station, 350 km away from Bhopal, in the presence of police, who didn’t make any serious effort to protect the two women. 

The police were present at the railway station to arrest the two women after receiving a tip-off, reports NDTV.

After they were arrested, it was found that the beef in their possession weighed 30 kg. However, after initial inspection, a local doctor has said that the meat in question is of Buffalo and not cow. This was even seconded by the state home ministry.

After this revelation, both women have been charged with ‘smuggling and trying to sell’ the meat, reports Indian Express. 

Watch the video below:

The issue even found its way into the Parliament and rocked the Rajya Sabha, where BSP supreme Mayawati tore into the Modi government for failing to protest those two women. 

“BJP raises ‘Mahilaon ke samman mein, BJP maidan mein’ (BJP to fight for women’s respect) slogan, yet in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh women thrashed on beef rumours,” she said.

Anand Sharma of the Congress asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not responded to attacks on dalits in name of ‘Gau Raksha’. “He has done ‘chai-pe-charcha’ (talk over tea) and ‘mann-ki-baat’ (straight talk from heart) but why not on this issue,” he asked.

(Feature image source: Twitter | @ndtv)