Tensions are high in Bengaluru’s Chamarajapet area after an unthinkable act of brutality took place. Unidentified assailants allegedly assaulted three udders of cows in Vinayakanagar. The gruesome event took place and leaders from the BJP have declared ‘Black Sankranti’ in order to demonstrate.  

The cows were on Karna’s property and were discovered nearly dead in a pool of blood, which drew the police’s immediate attention. The political leaders are enraged due to such a dreadful attack and the BJP has also raised their voice against it saying that the criminals should be punished as soon as possible.

Giving his instructions to the Police Commissioner, India’s Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, ‘I told them to track down the attackers, but more importantly, I showed them the law and made it clear to them that they will be dealt with.’

‘Black Sankranti’

R Ashoka, the head of the opposition in the Karnataka assembly while condemning the attack emphatically stated that this ‘attack’ emanated from, ‘a very dangerous mindset’. He stated that the BJP would go ahead to observe ‘Black Sankranti’ if appropriate action is not taken against the individuals responsible for the attack. Ashoka stated that, ‘This cowardly act has shaken our beliefs. We will not commemorate Sankranti, instead, we will observe the day as a protest if the perpetrators walk free.’ This was on the day that the attack took place.

As an occasion on which worship and decoration of cows is the highlight of it, the relevance of Sankranti goes beyond the cultural and religious circles of the society. Ashoka condemned the ‘barbarity’ of the act in stark contrast to the honour for animals in the festival saying, ‘They should be respected and not tortured. “How is it possible to hold the Sankranti festival after a very brutal attack?’ he asked’.

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the olm, leader of the opposition in the Karnataka legislative council and C N Ashwath Narayan, former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, were all against the action.

Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara claimed efforts are being made to trace the assailants -who allegedly carried out the attack- and get them arrested, while also confirming the investigation already commenced by the police. Reassuring the public, Parameshwara further stated that it is their utmost commitment to get justice done by locating and prosecuting the alleged offenders.