Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 21: The death of a cow vigilante Chandra Shekhar, better known by his alias Farsa Baba, reportedly in a road accident, on the Agra-Delhi highway, near Mathura, at around 4 am Saturday morning, triggered a massive protest and a traffic jam on the highway by angry locals that was controlled by the afternoon.
The locals blocked the national highway in the Kosi Kalan area of Mathura and protested against the death of the cow vigilante who was allegedly run over by suspected cattle smugglers. The protesters clashed with police, alleging that Chandra Shekhar, a cow-protection activist and saint in the Braj region popularly known as ‘Farsa Wale Baba,’ died in the incident, which they claim was a deliberate act carried out by cattle smugglers.
His supporters alleged that Baba was run over by cow smugglers when he tried to stop a truck allegedly carrying cattle near the Kotvan border area. The Mathura district administration said Baba along with a disciple had stopped a container truck on the highway. The vehicle, bearing a Nagaland registration number, was intercepted on suspicion of carrying cows. However, upon inspection, it was found to be transporting soap, phenyl and shampoo.
Amid dense fog in the early hours, a Rajasthan-registered truck loaded with wire approached the spot, said district magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh. Due to poor visibility, it rammed into the group, killing Farsa Baba on the spot. The truck driver sustained injuries and the vehicle was damaged, added the DM.
Following the incident, rumours spread that Farsa Baba had been deliberately killed, triggering a road blockade and stone-pelting. Officials rushed to the scene, worked to calm the situation, and assured the public that a proper investigation would be conducted, according to the Mathura administration.
Taking cognisance of the incident, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure strict action against the perpetrators. “The accused will not be spared under any circumstances,” an official statement read, underlining the State’s commitment to accountability and law enforcement.
The Mathura police in an official statement clarifying the situation stated, “Chandra Shekhar alias Farsa Baba, stopped a vehicle on suspicion in the Kosi police station area between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. last night, he was tragically killed when struck by a truck coming from behind due to dense fog. The vehicle which the deceased had stopped was found to contain grocery items and the truck coming from behind was loaded with wires. This is a road accident – it has nothing to do with cow smuggling. The situation has been brought under control by using necessary force against those creating law and order situations. Further legal action is being taken.”
According to videos circulating on social media, protesters vandalised police and administrative vehicles when authorities attempted to clear the road. The administration said six policemen and similar number of protestors have also been injured.
DIG, Agra range, Shailesh Pandey claimed that situation was under control. Fair investigation is to take place and those responsible including those involved in ruckus will not be spared, he said. The police later cleared the highway for smooth movement of the traffic.
Incidentally, President Droupadi Murmu was in Mathura the same day, only about 25 km from the place of accident and protests, praying at Govardhan pilgrimage, where she participated in the aarti of Giriraj Ji Maharaj and performed Govardhan Parikrama as part of her three-day Uttar Pradesh visit.
Heavy police force has been deployed in the area to control the situation.
