Premium
This is an archive article published on May 31, 2016

Forty-year-old Amritsar firm faces heat from cow vigilante groups

In last 10 months, police have seized six tankers carrying buffalo tallow.

cow shelter, old cow shelter, Govardhan Govansh Raksha Kendra , maharashtra govt, devendra fadnavis, mumbai news “The cow protection groups have accused the company of mixing cow tallow with buffalo tallow,” said a police officer. Photo for representational purpose (Photo by Ravi Kanojia)

The Amritsar-based BP Oil Traders, a 40-year-old firm supplying buffalo tallow to soap manufacturing units, seems to have come under the radar of cow protection groups in Punjab.

In the last 10 months, police, along the route from Dera Bassi in Mohali to Amritsar, have seized six of the company’s tankers on the basis of complaints from cow protection groups.

“The cow protection groups have accused the company of mixing cow tallow with buffalo tallow,” said a police officer.

[related-post]

SHO Khanna Bhupinder Singh, SHO Rupnagar Pawan Kumar and SHO Samrala Ashawani Kumar confirmed that all complaints were made by Gau Raksha Dal (GRD).

They, however, said so far no sample from the tankers of BP Oil Traders has tested positive for cow tallow.
According to a company official, each such tanker was carrying goods worth Rs 4.50 lakh and Rs 35,000 was paid to the government as tax on each tanker. The firm claimed to have faced financial losses and damage to its reputation in the market.

Rajeev Arora, manager B P Oil Traders, said, “Our tankers remain in custody of police for months now. Our drivers were beaten up by members of cow protection groups. These groups are politically powerful and police never listen to us and prefer to seize trucks. Then starts rounds of courts and police station.”

“We are not alone in this. Soap factories too have been bearing losses and one such factory closed down in Amritsar last year due to threats from cow protection groups. All traders and soap factory owners are Hindus,” said Arora.
“In the 40 years that we have been in business, we never faced any problems till the last one year. Political shelter has suddenly increased the activism of cow protection groups.”

Story continues below this ad

According to one police FIR, a tanker was impounded after Nixin Kumar, on behalf of the Gau Raksha Dal, submitted that he doubted whether the tanker was actually carrying buffalo tallow. The police then booked the tanker owner in the case.
Another FIR from Dera Bassi police station read that a tanker had the picture of a Hindu God in its cabin.
GRD state president Nixin Kumar alleged that police do not investigate properly and that was why most tankers were left off the hook soon after.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments