Four Hindu temples desecrated in a coordinated attack, idols vandalised
Dhupguri, West Bengal, India 
16 May, 2024
Case Summary
Four Hindu temples in Kholai gram, Dhupguri of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, were ransacked and idols vandalised by unknown miscreants. The targeted temples included Choupathi Kali Mata Mandir, Satvendi Shiv Mandir, Janglibari Kali Mandir, and Gorerari Shani Mandir. The coordinated attack was discovered the following morning, causing outrage among the local Hindu community. In response, locals protested by blocking roads, including NH 27, and halting trains at Shalbari and Falakata. An open assembly was organised by local Hindus, including representatives from the vandalised temples and Hindu saints. FIRs were lodged in the presence of thousands of locals and activists from various Hindu organisations such as VHP and Hindu Jagran Manch. Despite complaints from temple committees, no arrests had been made.
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' under which this case has been listed. The first relevant sub-category in this case is, 'Attack on Temples'. 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 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 perpetrators vandalised the temple and desecrated the idols placed in the temple. Such attacks on the premises of a temple that aim to cause harm to the temple or its devotees demonstrate inherent Hinduphobia. For this reason, this case qualifies for inclusion in the hate tracker database. Furthermore, 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 temples and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
