Man killed in northern India for transporting beef

A court in the northern Indian state of Jharkhand has sentenced 11 men to life in prison for killing a Muslim meat trader last year, according to a BBC News report. Alimuddin Ansari, 55, was beaten to death by the men for transporting beef. This is the first time India has convicted anyone for “cow vigilantism,” despite a spate of attacks on Muslim meat traders in the last few years. Hindus consider cows sacred and killing them is illegal in several states, including Jharkhand. Incidents of cow vigilantism have become increasingly common in India, but police investigations have often led to acquittals of those accused. Twelve men were arrested over Ansari’s murder, but the court deferred its decision on one person who is reported to be a juvenile. Ever since the rise to power of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the summer of 2014, vigilante cow protection groups have been emboldened, leading to numerous attacks on Muslims and Dalits (formerly untouchables), for whom beef is a staple. — WLJ