Hindu Activists Tied To Tree, Thrashed In Karnataka’s Belagavi Over Cattle Transport Dispute

Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 08:19 IST

Tensions flared again on Saturday evening when a local man, identified as Bapusa Multhani, went to the shelter and got the cows released.

Villagers surround the activists and assault them. (Screengrab from video from X)

A video showing members of the Hindu group Sri Rama Sena (SRS) being tied to a tree and brutally thrashed by villagers in Ingali village of Hukkeri taluk, Belagavi district, Karnataka, has sparked widespread outrage after going viral on social media.

According to local sources, the incident stemmed from a dispute over the transportation of cattle. On Friday, five SRS activists intercepted a vehicle transporting cows, suspecting the animals were being illegally taken for slaughter. The activists took the driver to the police station and alleged that the cows were headed to a slaughterhouse.

However, the driver refuted the claim, insisting the cattle were being transported for dairy or taming purposes. He further alleged that the activists attempted to extort money from him by making false accusations. Following the intervention, the cows were shifted to a cow shelter (gaushala) in Ingali village.

Tensions flared again on Saturday evening when a local man, identified as Bapusa Multhani, went to the shelter and got the cows released. On learning this, the activists reportedly rushed to the gaushala and then followed Multhani to his home, where they allegedly created a ruckus and confronted him over the cattle release.

This confrontation angered the villagers, who caught hold of the activists, tied them to a tree, and beat them with sticks, as captured in the now-viral video.

Reacting to the assault, Sri Rama Sena’s Belagavi district president Vitthal Gaddi condemned the attack and criticized the government, stating, “This is no longer the Siddaramaiah government; it has become the Khan government in Karnataka. If you approach the police, they threaten you instead. Those who carried out this attack must be punished. Otherwise, we will launch a statewide protest."

Despite the seriousness of the incident and the circulation of video evidence, none of the assaulted activists have filed a formal complaint. Police said they encouraged the victims to come forward, but they declined.

Acting on the video, Yamkanmardi police are preparing to register a suo motu case. However, senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Dr Bhimashankar Guled and Yamkanmardi Police Inspector Javed Mushapuri, were unavailable for comment.

As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding arrests or further progress in the investigation.

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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