Five Gau Raksha Dal Members arrested for assaulting Gurugram YouTuber who fed cow chicken momos

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Days after YouTuber Ritik Chandna was arrested for feeding chicken momos to a stray cow in Gurgaon’s Sector 56, the Gurugram Police on Thursday arrested five members of the Gau Raksha Dal for allegedly assaulting the 29-year-old content creator.

The incident began last Saturday when Chandna filmed himself at the HSVP Market buying a plate of chicken momos from a roadside stall, eating a few pieces and then offering the rest to a cow. The video quickly circulated on social media and sparked anger after being widely shared by members of the Bajrang Dal and Gau Raksha Dal.

The police identified those arrested as Chaman Khatana (45), Rohit (29), Lalit (25), Teshv (22) and Ayushman (20). Khatana, who is associated with both Bajrang Dal and Gau Raksha Dal, admitted he was among the first to confront Chandna.

Khatana said he came across the video on Saturday evening and was outraged. He claimed that he and his associates went to Chandna’s residence that same night to demand the video be deleted. Chandna refused and allegedly said during the confrontation that he would feed a cow mutton next time on livestream, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Khatana and the others returned to Chandna’s home on Sunday, where they confronted both the YouTuber and his father, who works at a footwear shop. Police said the group dragged the two men onto the street, filmed them, paraded them, and slapped Chandna several times.

Chandna can also be seen in a live-streamed video apologising while surrounded by the men. The accused allegedly questioned the YouTuber about his funding and threatened him with death if he did not publicly apologise.

“We beat him lightly because he insulted the cow, our mother. We had to protect our faith,” Khatana was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Acting on Khatana’s complaint, police registered a case against Chandna under sections 299 (acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 325 (mischief by maiming an animal) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on Monday. He was arrested the same day and later granted bail.

During questioning, Chandna allegedly told police that he fed the momos to the cow after a viewer suggested it during his livestream. He also alleged that an unknown viewer paid him Rs 3,000 to increase engagement.

Chandna’s father on Wednesday filed a complaint against Khatana and his associates. A new FIR was registered under sections 115 (causing hurt), 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS.

“Both cases are being probed. No one will be permitted to take law into their own hands — be it through assaults, threats or disruptions to communal harmony,” a Gurugram Police spokesperson said.