India saw the highest number of cow-related hate crimes in 2017. According to IndiaSpend, the country’s first data journalism initiative, as many as 11 people were killed by cow vigilantes in 2017. This is the highest toll from cow-related hate crimes since 2010.
The IndiaSpend report revealed that over the eight years starting 2010, 29 persons have been killed in incidents of cow-related violence. However, no vigilante crimes were reported in 2010 and 2011.
The report further showed that 25 of the 29 people killed in such incidents of violence were Muslims.
According to the report, until 2015, 76 per cent or 13 of 17 cow-related crimes were reported from north India. Since then such crimes have also been reported from east, west and south India, suggesting that the cow vigilantes have spread their tentacles to the rest of the country as well.
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There has been no dip in crimes related to cows despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fervent appeal to cow vigilantes to not take law into their hands. In June, the PM had tweeted saying, "No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country," referring to cow-related crimes.
In another tweet that was widely retweeted, the prime minister had said, “We believe cow is our mother, she is tied to people's emotions. But it must be understood that there are laws to protect cows and there is no option to break it.”
Data collection
To build their database, the IndiaSpend team collected, analysed and verified print and online news reports in the English media that tend to have the widest nationwide coverage. All reported incidents were cross-referenced to eliminate discrepancies and, where needed, verified with local reporters or those who had filed original stories.
