JOIN USMuslims are turning crusaders for cow protection in many areas dominated by the community.
The trend unfolds in the wake of a series of attacks on people of the community by self-styled cow vigilante groups.
Cow protection groups have been constituted in the Muslim-dominated Mewat region of Haryana, close to the National Capital Region, with a vow to save the cow both from slaughter and smugglers.
Many maintain that Muslims turning "gau rakshaks" is an act driven by the fear of being targeted by vigilante cow-protection groups.
The lynching of Pehlu Khan, who belonged to this area in Haryana, by an unruly mob in Alwar in April last year had sent shock waves among people.
Muslim men, joined by people belonging to other faiths, have resolved to slap heavy cash penalty on offenders.
In Haryana, cow slaughter is a punishable offense inviting a maximum punishment of 10 years and a fine.
Beef is also banned in the state, which is ruled by the BJP under RSS ideologue and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
A decision to form committees and impose heavy penalty for violators was taken during a recent panchayat meeting, attended by hundreds of people, in the village of Bichhor in Mewat.
A member of the newly formed committee, Ekbal, said incidents of violence on cows tend to rupture the social and communal fibre of the society, which is why the area has resolved to stop wrongdoers from breaking the law.
A cash reward of Rs 11,000 has been announced for anyone giving a tip-off on cow smuggling or slaughter.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had earlier appealed to Muslims in the area not to transport cattle at the night highlighting threats.
Reports of sale of beef in biryani and transportation of cattle, allegedly for slaughter, have been coming to light from this part of Jatland.
Following complaints, the state police had cracked down on biryani eateries in Mewat, after food samples from them suggested the presence of beef in the biryanis.