A remark by Rampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Kumar Singh on cow slaughter sparked controversy on Friday (August 7, 2026) after a video of his statement went viral leading to an uproar on social media.

Mr. Singh, addressing the media after a meeting at Police Lines, said that that those involved in such practices are either “scoundrels and not true Muslims”, adding that teaching them a lesson is his job. The SP further said that a true Muslim would never commit such an act, adding that cow slaughter incidents reported during the month of Sawan were attempts by anti-social elements to disturb communal harmony.

He also referred to Islamic teachings and said the religion prohibits the consumption of meat from an animal if slaughtering it hurts the religious sentiments of another community.

Reacting to the remarks, the Opposition in U.P. alleged such a language by a police officer shows police as an institution under the BJP regime has become “violent and rowdy”.

“The core problem is the BJP government policies towards Muslim community embolden such officials who have a negative attitude towards the community. The police as an institution under the BJP regime has become violent and rowdy under the present government which manifests in such language,” senior U.P. Congress leader Anil Yadav said.