A 28-year-old content creator from Gurugram, identified as Hrithik (also reported as Hrithik Chandna), was allegedly thrashed, paraded through the streets, and booked by police after a video of him feeding chicken momos to a cow in Sector 56 HUDA Market during a live stream went viral, triggering outrage among Bajrang Dal members and other cow-protection groups.
The FIR, filed on the complaint of Bajrang Dal-linked activist Chaman Khatana, invokes provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for deliberately outraging religious feelings and animal cruelty; police confirm Hrithik was arrested, confessed to the act, released on bail, and is cooperating in the probe amid claims he was paid ₹3,000–₹4,000 for the stunt.
Officials emphasise examining the video, verifying the payment motive, and scrutinising mob violence, with warnings that vigilante actions could lead to separate legal consequences, highlighting tensions between religious sentiments, social media provocation, and law enforcement in a polarised context.
Viral Stunt Turns Violent: Incident Details and Police Response
The controversy erupted on December 2, 2025, in Gurugram’s bustling Sector 56 HUDA Market, a busy commercial hub frequented by shoppers and street vendors. Eyewitness accounts and police reports describe how Hrithik, a self-proclaimed YouTuber with a modest online following, went live on social media platforms during what appeared to be a casual evening outing.
In the footage, which rapidly amassed thousands of views, he is seen consuming a plate of chicken momos a popular street food staple made with non-vegetarian filling before casually offering the remnants to a stray cow wandering nearby, an act captured in close-up amid his on-camera commentary and laughter.
What began as what Hrithik later claimed was an “online challenge” quickly spiralled into chaos as the clip was shared by activist accounts, including one linked to Chaman Khatana, a prominent Bajrang Dal figure known for cow protection campaigns in the National Capital Region.
Within hours, the video ignited a firestorm of condemnation across WhatsApp groups, Instagram reels, and Facebook pages, with users labelling the behaviour as a blatant “insult to Hindu faith” given the cow’s revered status in Indian culture as a symbol of life, motherhood, and non-violence. Furious locals and Bajrang Dal volunteers mobilised swiftly, tracking Hrithik to the same market area.
Reports detail a harrowing sequence: he was reportedly dragged from his spot, slapped repeatedly, and forced to march barefoot through crowded streets amid chants and jeers, with the mob filming the ordeal for further circulation.
Gurugram Police intervened after the group brought the shaken young man to the Sector 56 station, where an FIR was promptly registered late that night under BNS Sections 299 (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and relevant animal welfare laws.
A police spokesperson noted, “The accused has admitted to the offence and stated he was motivated by a small payment; we are verifying this and his digital footprint for patterns of similar provocations while ensuring no further unrest,” underscoring a commitment to balanced inquiry.
Motives, Patterns, and Broader Vigilantism Concerns
Interrogation revelations have added layers to the narrative, with Hrithik allegedly confessing to investigators that an unidentified individual approached him online, offering ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 for filming and uploading the stunt as part of a trend of “shock-value challenges” popular among fringe influencers chasing viral fame.
This claim, if substantiated, points to a disturbing underbelly of paid provocations exploiting communal fault lines for clicks and cash, a phenomenon experts link to algorithm-driven platforms that reward outrage over restraint.
Chaman Khatana, the complainant, defended the group’s intervention in media bytes, asserting, “We cannot tolerate such desecration; cows are our mothers, and social media warriors must face real-world accountability,” reflecting sentiments echoed by neighbourhood residents who gathered in protest demanding exemplary punishment.
Yet, this episode fits into a worrying pattern of cow vigilantism in Haryana and beyond, where self-appointed guardians have repeatedly taken law into their hands over perceived slights, from meat transport disputes to interfaith relationships.
Rights groups argue that while the stunt was irresponsible cows, often emaciated strays in urban India, suffer real harm from inappropriate feeding the mob’s response bypassed due process, risking escalation in a city already strained by rapid urbanisation, migrant influx, and cultural clashes.
Police have initiated parallel probes into the assault, signalling that “no one is above the law,” and community leaders from Hindu organisations have urged restraint, calling for judicial resolution over street justice. As of December 10, the investigation continues, with digital forensics teams analysing the original live stream and related communications to trace potential instigators.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This Gurugram saga lays bare the toxic interplay of reckless content creation, hypersensitive religious fault lines, and unchecked vigilantism, all amplified by social media’s insatiable hunger for controversy, threatening the fabric of a pluralistic society.
The Logical Indian unequivocally condemns the deliberate provocation of feeding non-vegetarian food to a cow an animal sacred to millions as a callous bid for attention that disrespects deep-rooted cultural values and invites rightful legal repercussions through proper channels. At the same time, we stand resolutely against any mob violence, public parading, or extrajudicial punishment, which undermines the rule of law, instils fear, and perpetuates cycles of hatred rather than healing divisions through empathy and accountability.
True harmony demands collective action: platforms must algorithmically demote harmful challenges and enforce stricter content moderation; law enforcement should expedite probes into both the offence and excesses while fostering community policing; influencers need ethical guidelines to shun exploitative stunts; and citizens, regardless of faith, must champion dialogue over division. By prioritising kindness, coexistence, and constitutional remedies, India can transform such flashpoints into opportunities for positive change.
