Bengaluru, Karnataka: A group of animal welfare activists faced a violent assault during a cattle rescue operation on the outskirts of Bengaluru, prompting outrage and renewed calls for protection for those involved in such activities. The incident, which involved an alleged attempt to rescue cattle believed to be destined for illegal slaughter, saw the activists being attacked with fists, stones, and sharp weapons, resulting in injuries to at least two individuals.
According to reports, the incident occurred late Friday night in Medimallasandra village, falling under the Anugondanahalli Police Station limits. The complaint, lodged by Sanjay Kulkarni, an honorary Animal Welfare Officer with the Animal Welfare Board of India, detailed that a team, including volunteers and police personnel, visited a location after receiving information about the illegal storage of cattle and camels. However, upon arrival, the animals had allegedly already been moved.
The situation escalated when the team proceeded to another location near a plywood factory in the same village, where approximately 10 cows were reportedly found being held illegally. At this site, a large group of unidentified persons allegedly launched an assault on the officers and volunteers. The victims sustained injuries to their neck, face, and head before police personnel present managed to escort them to a hospital for treatment.
A case has been registered against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons, with further investigation underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
This incident is not an isolated event, as similar attacks on animal rights activists have been reported in Karnataka in the past. In October 2017, two Bengaluru-based activists were attacked by a mob in Avalahalli while attempting to rescue cattle from an alleged illegal slaughterhouse. One activist sustained a fractured hand and head injuries, while her friend suffered injuries to her arms and face. Their vehicle was also damaged during the assault. Reports from that time indicated that the activists had alerted the police, but the mob, allegedly numbering around 100 people, attacked them with boulders and bricks.
Another incident in June 2025 saw Sri Ram Sene activists being tied to a tree and assaulted by villagers in Ingali village of Belagavi district. The activists claimed they had intercepted a vehicle transporting cows suspected of being taken for slaughter. After rescuing the cows and handing over the driver to the police, they reportedly went to a local cow shelter. The situation turned violent when a group of villagers allegedly intervened, leading to the activists being tied and beaten.
A 2013 incident in Bengaluru also highlighted the risks faced by activists. A group of animal rights activists and police personnel were attacked by a mob near Annasandrapalya while attempting to raid a site where cattle were allegedly kept for slaughter. The mob vandalized vehicles and assaulted the activists and police, with some activists reporting severe injuries.
These recurring incidents underscore a growing concern among animal welfare organizations regarding the safety of volunteers and the challenges they face in their efforts to prevent cruelty and illegal activities related to cattle. Many activists have voiced their dismay over the alleged failure of law enforcement to provide adequate protection during rescue operations, despite their presence at times. The Gau Gyan Foundation, associated with one of the victims in the recent assault, has called for strict action against the culprits, immediate protection for whistleblowers and animal welfare volunteers, and a high-level independent investigation into alleged cattle mafia networks operating in the region. They have urged intervention from the Karnataka government, senior police authorities, the Animal Welfare Board of India, and the judiciary to ensure swift arrests and the rescue of any surviving animals.
The Karnataka government and the police department have been urged to implement more robust measures to ensure the safety of animal welfare activists and to bring to justice those who perpetrate violence against them and engage in illegal cattle trafficking.
The Chenab Times News Desk