Cow vigilante's death, Eid, violence: Unravelling what happened in Mathura

India Today's reporter, Himanshu Mishra, unfolds the series of events that took place in Mathura on the day of Eid, following the death of a cow vigilante, in this ground report.

Tensions gripped Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura on the day of Eid al-Fitr (March 21), after speculations flared up over the death of a cow vigilante, named Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Farse Wale Baba. Late Friday night, the vigilante, along with his disciples, was inspecting a container truck, which was believed to be involved in cow-smuggling, when another truck ran him over on the Delhi-Agra highway.

The rumour that Farsa Wale Baba was killed by cow-smugglers soon spread in Mathura. The angry disciples started pelting stones at the police. However, it was later found out that Chandrasekhar did not die in the hands of the cow-smugglers–rather, he died in an accident that occurred due to low visibility.

India Today reporter Himanshu Mishra unfolded the series of incidents through his ground report.

I am reporting from Mathura, where a tense situation unfolded on the morning of Eid following the reported death of a local cow vigilante, widely known as “Farsa Baba.”

The first information reached me around 10 am on Saturday, claiming that Chandrashekhar alias Farsa Baba had been run over and killed by alleged cattle smugglers. Along with this, reports of heavy stone-pelting and injuries to several police personnel also surfaced.

Given the sensitivity—Eid day, a cow vigilante’s death, and violence—it was clear to me that the situation could escalate quickly. I immediately began calling my police sources in Mathura. However, when my calls initially went unanswered, it raised concerns that the situation might be deteriorating.