By Team Clarion
DAMOH – Communal tension gripped Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district on Friday evening after members of a Hindu organisation spread rumours that cows were being slaughtered in the Kasai Mandi area. The situation turned volatile when Hindu activists carrying sticks entered the Muslim-dominated locality, shouting provocative slogans.
According to local sources, it all began when self-styled “gau rakshaks” (cow vigilantes) received information from an “anonymous source” claiming that cows were being slaughtered in the area. Acting on this rumour, a group of Hindu men gathered and marched towards the butcher market, chanting “Jai Sri Ram” and Islamophobic slogan and demanding action.
Residents said that the group’s sudden entry into the area provoked panic. “We were working in our shops when a mob came shouting slogans. They accused us of slaughtering cows and started threatening us,” said Mohammad Rashid, a local butcher. “They wanted to create trouble; there was no cow slaughter here. It was a buffalo,” he added.
Soon, verbal clashes broke out. The mob alleged that the butchers attacked them using sharp tools and pistols, a claim local witnesses strongly dispute. “No one attacked them. It was they who came with sticks and tried to break into our shops,” said Abdul Kareem, another local resident.
Police arrived at the scene to control the situation and escorted the Hindu activists out of the area. However, tension spread to other parts of the city, including the Purana Thana and Clock Tower areas, where members of Hindu organisations staged protests and demanded strict action against the Muslim butchers.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Shrut Kirti Somvanshi said, “A herd of buffaloes was found slaughtered, and remains have been recovered. We have registered two cases – one related to animal slaughter and another for the alleged attack on Hindu activists.”
Muslim community members expressed deep concern over what they called “targeted harassment.” Local elders said the incident was another example of how rumours were being weaponised to vilify Muslims. “They always target us before elections or festivals. This is not about animals, it’s about spreading hate,” said Maulana Sajid Qasmi, an imam from a nearby mosque.
Rights activists criticised the police for filing cases against the butchers despite evidence showing that the meat belonged to buffaloes. “The law clearly distinguishes between cow and buffalo slaughter,” said social worker Shabana Khan. “But in today’s climate, even a rumour is enough to criminalise Muslims.”
The incident has once again highlighted the growing communal tension in Madhya Pradesh and the vulnerability of the Muslim community in small towns. “These so-called cow protectors act with impunity,” said local journalist Arif Khan. “They take the law into their hands, and the authorities often side with them instead of ensuring justice.”
Police have increased patrolling in sensitive areas, and peace committees have been formed to prevent further escalation. However, residents fear that the mistrust created by this incident will take time to heal.
“Damoh was always known for communal harmony,” said Khalid Ansari, a local shopkeeper. “But now, it feels like some people are trying to destroy that peace. We just want to live and work in safety.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net.
