The Jal Abhishek Yatra in the Nuh district of Haryana concluded peacefully, amid police security, and internet shutdown. Everyone associated with the faith marched towards the temple, except for Rajkumar, widely known as Bittu Bajrangi, a self-styled cow vigilante and leader of the Gau Raksha Bajrang Force. This year he was banned from the Braj Mandal Jal Abhishek Yatra.

Bittu Bajrangi came out as an aggressive figure in Haryana and has been named in numerous legal battles and controversies in the past. He particularly became notorious for his alleged involvement in the 2023 Nuh communal violence that led to 6 deaths, including two home guards and a cleric in Gurugram. Bajrangi’s other actions have constantly attracted scrutiny, with multiple FIRs being lodged against him for offences including assault and hate speech. Still, his participation in public events like the recent Haryana Assembly election campaign has kept him in the spotlight.

Bittu’s Past Arrests

On August 15, 2023, Bajrangi was arrested following a complaint by Assistant Superintendent of Police Usha Kundu, who alleged that Bajrangi, along with his supporters, carried swords and tridents during the procession, defied police orders, and attempted to snatch weapons from officers. A viral video perfectly showed Bajrangi fleeing from the police in Faridabad Dabua before his arrest. He was granted bail on August 30, 2023, as no evidence could be presented in the court that proved the weapons were used to cause harm.

Since then, the Nuh district administration and police have refused him permission to attend subsequent yatras.

Bajrangi was again arrested on April 7, 2024, after a violent incident in Faridabad Parvatiya Colony. In relation to the incident, a video surfaced reportedly showing him assaulting a man in the presence of a police officer deployed for his security. The man, known as Shyam, alleged that a mob attacked him, suspecting him to be a Muslim, and handed him over to Bajrangi, who beat him, causing injuries to his head, hand, and body.

But Bajrangi could contest the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the Faridabad NIT seat. Despite his criminal records, his campaign for the BJP at a rally attended by Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has again brought him to the spotlight. A Congress leader also claimed that Bajrangi’s popularity was limited. However, Bajrangi has come out as a strong figure as a cow vigilante in Haryana.