The Big Fight: Holy Cow, Unholy Vigilantes?

There has been a spate of attacks on Dalits and minorities all across India in the last several weeks. These attacks that have been perpetuated by self-styled 'gau rakshaks' or cow protection groups were inspired largely by false rumours about their victims either transporting beef or skinning cows. Cow, being a sacred animal in India, has always been revered, however does this sanctify the use of violence against people who are either associated with the commerce around beef or by those who consume it? Cow Slaughter is prohibited in several states in India, but is that a crime punishable by public flogging or even death? Would it be right to assume that these attacks are carried out by a fanatical fringe independent of political patronage? Finally, does this hint towards the reality that caste discrimination is still prevalent in modern India? There are no easy answers here and that perhaps makes the debate even more relevant. All this and more on this latest episode of The Big Fight.