Gurugram/Nuh :Known for releasing footage of cow vigilante attacks, the 30-year-old Monu Manesar is the leader of a cow vigilante group in Mewat. He also participates actively in efforts against “love jihad,” a term popularised by the rightwing to describe the allegedly forcible conversion of Hindu women by Muslim men.

He gained notoriety in 2019 when, while pursuing alleged cattle smugglers, he was shot at. He also participated in a task team for district cow protection that the Haryana government established after a cow protection law was passed in 2015.

Tens of thousands of people follow Monu Manesar on Facebook and YouTube, and he routinely posted pictures of himself showing off his vehicles and weaponry there.

On Monday, the Bajrang Dal leader was one of the central figures at the centre of the communal violence that engulfed the Nuh and Gurugram districts of Haryana.

Rumours about the presence of Monu Manesar, who is wanted by the police for his suspected involvement in the murder of two Muslim men earlier this year, during a religious procession in Haryana’s Nuh near Gurugram on Monday fueled the violence.

In the fighting between two groups yesterday in Nuh, two Home Guards and another person were both slain, leaving four others—including at least 30 others—injured. Gurugram saw an overnight mosque fire as a result of the unrest and tense atmosphere there.

A few days prior, Monu Manesar allegedly posted a video on social media in which he declared his intention to attend the Nuh religious procession and urged his followers to turn out in force. Later, he allegedly received a social media warning to stay away.
Monu Manesar reportedly decided to stay away from the procession on the advice of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which feared that his presence would create tension.
Monu Manesar reportedly holds a diploma from a polytechnic school. He joined the Bajrang Dal while still in college.
Despite the serious accusations levelled against him, Monu Manesar enjoy strong support in several districts of Haryana. A Hindu mahapanchayat was held earlier this year in Manesar to show support for him, highlighting the strong support his actions enjoy in some sections of society.