The tragic death of 20-year-old Aryan Mishra on the Delhi-Agra highway in Haryana has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the actions of cow vigilantes in India. Mishra, a Class 12 student, was fatally shot on August 23 after being mistaken for a cattle smuggler by a group of men.
The incident unfolded when Mishra and four of his friends were driving back from a late-night snack run. Their vehicle was pursued by a Maruti Swift, driven by Anil Kaushik, who is the founding president of the cow protection organization ‘Live For Nation’. Kaushik and his associates, believing Mishra’s group was involved in cattle smuggling, chased them for over 29 kilometers before opening fire on their car.
Aryan Mishra, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was shot in the neck at close range. The attackers fled after realizing their mistake, leaving Mishra critically injured. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the killing, including Kaushik. While the police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest Kaushik and his associates are cow vigilantes, the incident has brought to light the potential for violence and misuse of power by groups claiming to protect cows.
Kaushik’s mother has defended her son, claiming that he believed the car he was chasing was involved in cattle smuggling and that he did not fire any shots. However, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are trying to determine the full extent of Kaushik’s involvement and the actions of the other suspects.
The killing of Aryan Mishra has highlighted the need for stringent measures to prevent the escalation of vigilante violence and to ensure that such groups are not allowed to operate with impunity. It also underscores the importance of responsible and lawful methods of enforcing animal protection laws.
