North Gujarat’s Banaskantha district is observing a strike today to protest against Muslim mob’s armed attack on famous Jain animal right activist Shree Bharatbhai Kothari’s shop. Around 150 to 200 Muslims attacked Bharatbhai Kothari’s shop at 11:30 am on Monday in which Bharatbhai’s colleague Pareshbhai Panchal was seriously injured. Pareshbhai was taken to Mehsana for further treatment.

According to police complain by Rajesh Thakkar, Muslim mob not only attacked Bharatbhai Kothari’s shop but also looted Rs 1,88,000 cash and injured two Hindus who were passing from there. Rafik Gulal, Adil, Rashid Gheto, Taiyam Saklo, Ganee Tarik Sheikh and Yashin Shekh were involved in the attack along with the mob of 150 to 200 Muslims.

Soon after an attack on Bharatbhai Kothari’s shop, Hindus in their response back targeted a mosque and pelted stones on police. All shops, schools and business establishments downed their shutters not only in Deesa but also in nearby towns to protest against an attack on Jain animal right activists.

Bharatbhai Kothari is well known animal right activist who fearlessly fights against animal cruelty and regularly rescues cows, buffalo, goats, ships, calves on route to slaughter house. His several year old successful animal rescue mission has threatened activities of slaughter mafias on main route of illegal animal trafficking from Rajasthan to Gujarat.

On Sunday night Bharatbhai and his activists had allegedly rescued 10 animals from Deesa’s Mira maholla based Firoz Ahmed Sattar Mohammad Kureshi’s truck. Firoz had filed a police complain of loot against Bharatbhai. On Monday morning mobs of Muslims rushed to the police station demanding action against Bharatbhai. This same mob while returning back from the Police station attacked Bharatbhai’s shop and injured three Hindus.

People in Hindu localities were angry on police because according to them instead of rewarding Bharatbhai Kothari who had rescued illegal trafficking of animals, police had blindly filed trafficker’s complain against him. Also police was failed to prevent attack on Bharatbhai’s shop.