Who Is Monu Manesar? Bajrang Dal Leader And Cow Vigilante In Spotlight Over Nuh Violence

Nuh Violence: Who is Monu Manesar? What is his connection with the Nuh violence? Here is all you need to know on the Bajrang Dal member who has a notorious history.

As the violence that erupted in Nuh in Mewat region during a religious procession on Monday continued to keep Haryana and neighbouring Delhi on edge, police are probing the role of cow vigilante Monu Manesar in the clashes.

Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) PK Aggarwal, addressing the media, said an SIT would be formed to investigate the role of Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar in the clashes.

"The role of absconding Bajrang Dal's Monu Manesar and a suspicious video that widely spread before the rally is being probed," the DGP said.

Manesar also found a mention in Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's press briefing. "Rajasthan Police is free to act against Monu Manesar, Haryana govt will extend help," Khattar said.

So, who is Monu Manesar? What is his connection with the Nuh violence? Here is all you need to know on the Bajrang Dal member who has a notorious history.

Who Is Monu Manesar?

Mohit Yadav alias Monu Manesar is the leader of a cow vigilante group in Haryana's Mewat district. He has been in charge of the Bajrang Dal's campaign against cattle smugglers in Haryana and Rajasthan. 

The 30-year-old's name came into the spotlight following the murders of alleged cow smugglers Nasir and Junaid in Rajasthan earlier this year. The bodies of the two youths were found in a charred car in Loharu, Haryana's Bhiwani, a day after they were allegedly abducted.

Manesar is in the wanted list of Rajasthan's Bharatpur police.

Manesar also participates in efforts to check "love jihad" -- a term coined by rightwing outfits to describe "forcible conversion" of Hindu women by Muslim men.

In 2019, his name first surfaced when he was shot at while pursuing alleged cattle smugglers. In 2015, Manesar was part of a district cow protection task team that was set up by the Haryana government.

Manesar has a huge following on Facebook and YouTube, where he routinely posts pictures of himself showing off his vehicles.

As per an IANS report, Manesar has done diploma from a polytechnic school. He joined the Bajrang Dal when he was in college. He holds much clout in several districts of Haryana. 

Why Is Monu Manesar's Connection With Nuh Violence?

Communal violence erupted in Nuh district on Monday evening after a mob attacked a VHP procession following rumours that Monu Manesar will be participating in the march. 

Previously, a video of Manesar saying he would attend the Brijmandal Shobha Yatra in Nuh went viral. The yatra was organised by Matri Shakti Durgawahini on behalf of Vishva Hindu Parishad, IANS reported.

While Monu Manesar dropped plans of joining the yatra at the last minute, the atmosphere in Nuh was tense since the video went viral on social media.

In an interview with AajTak, Monu Manesar clarified that he neither go to Mewat's Nuh nor he gave any inflammatory statement in the video.