Indians protest against recent attacks targeting Muslims

Thousands of Indians gathered in several cities on Wednesday to protest against recent attacks targeting Muslims across the country.

According to reports, in the capital New Delhi, demonstrators, including the elderly and parents with young children, sang songs and lit candles in remembrance of those Muslims killed by Hindu zealots and cow protection vigilantes.

In the port city of Mumbai, hundreds of people, including some Bollywood actors from the Indian film industry, gathered under umbrellas in pouring rain.

Mass protests were also reported in several other cities across India.

Demonstrators chanted slogans against the killings and carried placards that read, "Not in my name."

Protesters decried the silence of the Hindu extremist government in response to public lynchings and attacks on several Muslim men and boys since it took power in 2014.

Gangs of so-called cow protectors or vigilante groups have been implicated in the killing of at least 12 people in the past two years.

Vigilante groups have become active in small towns and cities across India in recent years. Five of the killings have taken place in the last three months alone.

In early April, Pehlu Khan, a Muslim cattle trader, was lynched by a mob in the western state of Rajasthan as he transported cattle he had bought at an animal fair back to his home state of Haryana. Two Muslim men were beaten to death over allegations of cattle theft in India's northeast in May.

Human Rights Watch has said that Indian authorities should promptly investigate the attacks and prosecute those responsible.

Police are regularly accused of working alongside the vigilantes.

SS