Faridabad-based self-proclaimed cow vigilante, Bittu Bajrangi, real name Rajkumar Panchal, is set to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections as an independent candidate. Bajrangi, who is currently out on bail for his alleged involvement in the Nuh communal violence case, filed his nomination papers from the Faridabad NIT assembly constituency on Monday. This seat was previously won by Congress candidate Neeraj Sharma in the 2019 elections.
The news of Bajrangi’s candidacy was confirmed by Vikram Singh, District Election Officer, as reported by India Today. Bajrangi’s entry into the political fray comes amid heightened tensions in Haryana over cow-related vigilantism, an issue that has triggered violence and sparked national debates.
Recently, Haryana witnessed two alarming incidents related to cow vigilantism. On August 23, Aryan Mishra, a 19-year-old student, was fatally shot by a cow protection group following a car chase on the Delhi-Agra National Highway. The group allegedly mistook Mishra’s car for that of suspected cow smugglers. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident.
Another incident occurred on August 28, when Sabir Malik, a Muslim worker from West Bengal, was lynched in Charkhi Dadri by a group of five men, who suspected him of consuming beef. The police have taken seven individuals into custody, including two minors, in connection with the killing.
Cow slaughter, possession, and consumption of beef are banned in Haryana, making cow protection a highly sensitive issue in the state. As the Haryana Assembly election approaches, the state’s voters will head to the polls on October 5 to elect members to the 90-seat assembly, with vote counting set for October 8. Bajrangi’s candidacy could add further complexities to an already charged political landscape, as the BJP, in power since 2014, seeks to retain control while the Congress aims to challenge their dominance.
The Nuh communal violence case and the recent incidents of cow-related vigilantism have cast a spotlight on the rise of such groups, and Bajrangi’s entry into electoral politics could influence public opinion on these issues.