A recent incident in Karnataka's Belagavi district has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the contentious issue of cattle transportation in India. Members of the Hindu group Sri Rama Sene were reportedly tied to a tree and thrashed by local villagers after a dispute arose over the alleged illegal transportation of cattle.

According to reports, the activists stopped a vehicle in Hukkeri taluk, accusing the driver of transporting cows for slaughter. They then took the driver to the police station. However, the driver refuted these allegations, claiming that the cows were being transported for dairy purposes and accused the activists of attempting extortion.

Following the intervention of the police, the cows were taken to a shelter in Ingali village. However, a local man, identified as Bapusa Multhani, later released the cows from the shelter. This action further enraged the activists, who then confronted Multhani at his residence. The situation escalated as villagers, angered by the activists' actions, reportedly apprehended them, tied them to a tree, and beat them with sticks.

Videos of the incident have since gone viral on social media, showing the activists tied to a tree while being assaulted with sticks by a group of people. The incident occurred within the Yamakanamardi police limits.

Following the incident, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) suo moto and initiated an investigation.

Vittal Gaddi, the district president of Sri Rama Sene, has condemned the incident and criticized the state government for its alleged indifference to the issue. Gaddi has also accused the government of favoring minority communities and warned of statewide protests if proper action is not taken against the perpetrators. He also alleged that when the activists approached the police to file a complaint, they were threatened with false rape charges.

The incident has further fueled the debate surrounding cow protection and cattle transportation in India. Cow slaughter is a sensitive issue in India, where the cow is considered sacred by many Hindus. Several states have enacted laws restricting or banning cow slaughter, which has led to conflicts and tensions, especially concerning the transportation of cattle.