On June 15, Ramnarayan Kuraria, CPI(M) Madhya Pradesh state secretariat member, and Anil Sallam, Seoni district secretary, visited Bhainswahi village in Mandla district. Their investigation revealed the mistreatment of minority groups under the pretext of cow slaughter allegations.

Bhainswahi village is predominantly inhabited by adivasis, dalits and minority communities, who primarily depend on agriculture and construction work in urban areas for their livelihoods. Additionally, some minority families are involved in the scrap business.

On the night of June 14th, a large contingent of over 50 police officers from Nainpur, Thana Pindrai, raided the homes of minority families. The police conducted extensive searches, ransacking the houses, and seizing refrigerators. The minorities were accused of involvement in cow slaughter based on the discovery of bones in the scrap yards, although no meat, horns, skins, or other incriminating materials were found.

The following morning, at around 10:30 am, police forces, along with officials from the revenue department, arrived with JCB machines and bulldozers. Women in the houses were coerced into signing blank papers, and their homes were demolished without allowing them to retrieve their belongings, creating an atmosphere of terror.

The stray animals commonly found near the minority locality were rounded up by the police, who accused the residents of cattle smuggling and slaughter. Charges were filed against members of 11 minority families under the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Several individuals surrendered, while others were declared fugitives.

Notably, the demolitions included homes constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, exacerbating the plight of innocent families who had received no prior notice of illegal occupation.

The actions in Mandla reflect an attempt at communal polarization by BJP and RSS, targeting minorities under the guise of cow slaughter allegations. These incidents highlight the urgent need for justice and protection of civil liberties against orchestrated communal tensions.

Two days after the Bhainswahi incident, another alleged conspiracy unfolded in Seoni district, orchestrated by BJP and RSS to intensify communal polarization.

On June 19, 2024, 28 cows were found dead in the forest near Garghatia village, Chinta Nala, Jamun Lake, under Dhuma police station in Seoni district. Additionally, 22 bulls were found in the Pindari Bain Ganga River Kurku Ghat area, seven near Palari Police Outpost, and eight near Kadve Thawari village, under Dhanora police station on June 21. In total, 65 dead cows and calves were discovered. With Bakri Eid having occurred on June 17, the minority populations residing around these locations became targets for blame, fueling a planned communal frenzy.

Bajrang Dal, RSS, BJP, and other Hindu organizations called for a Seoni bandh under the leadership of Seoni MLA Munmun Rai, which was later supported by other parties, leading to significant tension in the area.

The police registered cases against 15 individuals under crime number 214/2024 at Dhuma police station, three individuals under crime number 271/2024 at Palari police post, and four individuals under crime number 216/2024 at Dhanora police station. The houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were also subsequently destroyed.

The Fact-Finding Committee, represented by Ramnarayan Kuraria and Anil Sallam, visited Bhainswahi and found an atmosphere of fear and terror. They noted that only women and children remained in the village, as the men had fled. The women provided details of the incidents.

The fact-finding committee's recommendations include:

1. An impartial and thorough investigation should be conducted, ensure the withdrawal of false cases against innocent individuals and their immediate release from jail.

2. Minority families, whose homes have been demolished without prior notice of illegal occupation, deserve to have their perspectives heard. Therefore, compensation should be provided for the homes that were unlawfully demolished.

3. Dwellings constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have also been subjected to demolition. The owners of these homes should be duly compensated. Furthermore, appropriate action should be taken against the responsible officials from the police and revenue departments.

4. Compensation should be granted for the household items buried under the debris of the demolished houses. Additionally, refrigerators and other seized household goods from these properties should be safely returned.

Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, and Chhindwara are areas with a significant tribal population, where Congress traditionally holds political strength. The RSS and other organisations have attempted to incite communal hysteria periodically. The recent incidents, occurring in constituencies with Congress MLAs, seem to be part of a well-planned conspiracy by the Sangh to create communal tension, which the public ultimately rejected.