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The Essential: 04/11/2015 15:23 GMT: The Inquiry: Why was Mohammed Akhlaq Killed?

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An Indian woman sprinkles yoghurt paste onto a cow's forehead.

04/11/2015 15:23 GMT

04/11/2015 15:23 GMT: The Inquiry: Why was Mohammed Akhlaq Killed?

The Inquiry: Why was Mohammed Akhlaq Killed?

BBC World Service - The Essential, The Inquiry: Why was Mohammed Akhlaq Killed?

What a murder tells us about modern India.

How a rumour over cow slaughter led to murder and a national debate in India.

Mohammed Akhlaq’s murder shocked India. A mob broke into his house last month and beat him to death. They believed a rumour that Mr Akhlaq, a Muslim, had broken a Hindu taboo by slaughtering a cow. We find out how the cow became such a political animal and look at whether Hindu nationalists are feeling bolder in today’s India.

(Photo: An Indian woman sprinkles yoghurt paste on to a cow's head; Credit:Getty Images)

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