New Delhi, September 6: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat has strongly criticized the Haryana government and its policies following the murder of 19-year-old Aryan Mishra, allegedly killed by cow vigilantes during a car chase in Faridabad. Mishra’s family claims he was shot dead by a group of cow vigilantes on August 23, sparking outrage over the rising power of vigilante groups in the region.
Karat, who visited Mishra’s family to offer condolences, accused the Haryana government of empowering cow vigilantes by granting them a “licence” to take the law into their own hands. She alleged that these groups operate under the guise of cow protection but are essentially involved in criminal activities like extortion and corruption.
Haryana Police Allegedly Shielding Accused
According to Karat, the police have been complicit in these crimes, offering protection to the vigilantes. She stated, “We came to express solidarity with the Mishra family. The murder of Aryan Mishra was enabled by the policies of the Haryana government, which give these ‘gaurakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) the authority to act above the law.”
She also highlighted the shocking manner in which Mishra was killed. “It is unthinkable that for 30 kilometers, on a road with CCTV cameras, they chased the car with unlicensed arms, shot him dead, and then fled the scene,” she added.
Karat further alleged that the police informed Mishra’s family that his killer was a “good man,” raising concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement in the case.
Toxic Policies Fueling Lawlessness
Brinda Karat also targeted the Haryana government’s “toxic policies,” which she believes are fueling lawlessness. “This just shows where we are headed. It’s appalling that near the national capital, we have to hear that if Mishra had been a Muslim, his death wouldn’t have raised questions. But because he was a Brahmin, there is outrage,” Karat said, pointing to the communal undertones of the case.
She also invoked the Supreme Court’s recent comments against “bulldozer justice,” arguing that the Haryana government must be held accountable for such incidents.
Demands for Compensation and Justice
In her remarks, Karat demanded justice for Aryan Mishra’s family, including financial compensation, a government job for one of his brothers, and full security for the grieving family. “Not a single government official has come to offer condolences. There is no humanity left. We demand full compensation and a job for one of the brothers,” she emphasized.
The five accused — Saurabh, Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, and Adesh — who allegedly chased and shot Mishra, were arrested on August 28. However, Karat expressed skepticism about whether justice would be served, given the powerful influence of the vigilante groups and the government’s reluctance to intervene.
The tragic death of Aryan Mishra continues to spark discussions on the growing menace of cow vigilantes and the government’s role in empowering them. As the case unfolds, the demand for accountability and justice grows louder, with the public closely watching the government’s next steps.
