Idols of Goddesses desecrated in Hyderabad's Bhoolaxmi temple
Hyderabad, Telangana, India 
25 August, 2024
Case Summary
On August 26, 2024, unidentified assailants vandalised the idol of the goddess at Bhoolaxmi Temple in Hyderabad's Rakshapuram area. The incident, which occurred between 11:30 PM and midnight, led to a large crowd gathering at the temple and raising slogans against the attack. Police arrived promptly and arrested two suspects, with further investigation ongoing. DCP South East Kanti Lal Patil confirmed that the police acted swiftly, using CCTV footage to identify and detain the suspects. While preliminary investigations identified two individuals, there is currently no evidence suggesting a political motive behind the vandalism. BJP Bhagya Nagar district president Samreddy Surender Reddy criticised the local authorities, claiming that this was not an isolated incident, but the fifth attack on the temple in five years. He said that the local corporator and his associates were involved and suggested that the arrested individuals might be scapegoats.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime category of 'Attack on Hindu religious symbols'. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. The other sub-category that this case is being added to is 'attack on Hindu temple'. In Hinduism, a temple is the abode of the Deity. The Deity in the Temple is consecrated, thereby, making it a real, breathing entity. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the temple premises itself are sacred to Hindus since Hindus hold the faith that the entire Temple space is an amalgamation of the divine energy of the deity. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. In this case, despite understanding that temples are centres of worship and sanctity for Hindus, the perpetrator vandalised the premises and broke an idol of a Hindu goddess at the Bhoolaxmi Temple in Hyderabad's Rakshapuram area. The intent behind the action could only possibly be that of provoking Hindu worshippers and showing disrespect towards the Hindu faith. Since such callous behaviour can only stem from a profound contempt for the Hindu religion, this case deserves to be recorded in this hate tracker.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
