Hindu temple vandalised, idol desecrated, signs of cooking mutton seen inside temple premises before Chaitra Navratri
Araria, Bihar, India 
6 April, 2024
Case Summary
In Bihar's Araria district on April 7, a Hindu temple was vandalised just before Chaitra Navratri, leading to a confrontation between two communities. Heavy police deployment was initiated to pacify the situation. The incident occurred in the Phulkaha Police Station area, specifically in Bhangahi village panchayat, where a government school known as Bhaundhar Madhya Vidyalaya houses a temple. Locals discovered the temple vandalised with damage to idols and signs of cooking and consumption of mutton inside the temple premises. Additionally, graffiti with 'XXX' was found and later removed. The Hindu community filed an official complaint, urging stringent action against the perpetrators. Araria Police initiated an inquiry, lodged a formal complaint, and began the search for the accused.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
According to the case details, 'attack on temples' and 'desecration of Hindu religious symbol' are the two sub-categories under the core category 'attack on Hindu religious symbols' within which this case has been listed. 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. The second sub-category under the core category 'attack on Hindu religious symbol' relevant in this case 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. In this case, the miscreants not only vandalised the temple and desecrated the idols there were signs that meat was cooked and consumed inside the temple premises. It is important to mention here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed out of hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
