Tension Prevails In Bhilwara After 'Cow Tail Found In Temple Premise', Police Lathicharge Protestors

Members of the Sant Samaj and MP Damodar Aggarwal gathered on Monday and staged a dharna, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

Tensions prevailed in Rajasthan's Bhilwara a day after a cow's tail was allegedly found inside a temple premise as protestors gathered in the market and forced shops to shut down. 

The Rajasthan Police lathicharged protestors to disperse the crowd. The district administration, meanwhile, appealed people to maintain calm and warned them against spreading rumours. 

As per reports, a cow’s tail was found inside the premises of the Hanuman temple under the Kotwali Police Station area of Bhilwara city. 

The incident led to an uproar among the locals with a local Hindu organization demanding action in the matter. Members of the Sant Samaj and MP Damodar Aggarwal reached the spot on Monday and staged a dharna, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

The Rajasthan Congress shared a video of the police lathi-charging the protestors to disperse them.

Attacking the Rajasthan government, Congress said, "BJP lathi charges cow worshippers! On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the BJP government is letting the police beat the cow worshippers."

The district administration said that they will take action against the people who are trying to create problems in the city. 

“We tried to manage the situation, but there was so much anger in the youth that they started pelting stones. We will take action against the people who are trying to create problems in the city. We have seized vehicles of people who have pelted stones. We are trying to normalise the situation and not let the market shut down,” Additional District Magistrate Vandana Khorwal said, according to the Indian Express.

Bhilwara Collector Namit Mehta assured action against those who are behind the incident. He said that the protest was called off after persuasion. 

"We got information about an incident where a cow tail was found in front of a religious place and a protest by locals against it. In this connection, talks were held with the local public representatives and saints and the protest ended. They were assured that those behind the incident will be held soon. Police are deployed in sensitive areas. The atmosphere is peaceful," the Bhilwara Collector said. 

The report said that a viral WhatsApp message called on people to gather at a spot on Monday. The situation became tense when a large number of people reached the spot at 11 am and started raising slogans.