Infiltrators in Nepal conspire to seize ancient temple land by building slums
Janakpur Zone, Nepal 
24 May, 2024
Case Summary
In Nepal’s Mahottari district, a case of land jihad emerged involving Rohingya, Bangladeshi, and other illegal Muslim immigrants attempting to seize land belonging to the ancient Laxminarayan Math temple, also known as Mathihani Math. This temple, significant to the Hindu Kuruwa community, was targeted by these immigrants who initially set up temporary slums on the temple land and later set them on fire to justify building permanent structures. Hindu organisations protested, leading the Nepali administration to halt construction. Rajesh Yadav, President of the Hindu Samrat Sena Nepal, highlighted that the Mathihani Math is a vital spiritual center for Hindus in the region. Despite possessing proper documentation for the land, Hindu locals faced opposition from Muslim families, who argued that the statue would obstruct their access. The temple land dispute intensified when a suspicious fire in April 2024 destroyed 80 huts occupied by Muslim settlers, who claimed their identification documents were lost, a move seen by Hindus as a tactic to claim Nepali citizenship. Muslim organisations and political parties rallied for the settlers, collecting donations and demanding permanent homes for the affected families. Hindu groups, alarmed by the potential encroachment, launched campaigns and pressured the administration to act. In response, the Nepali administration initiated an investigation, halting all construction and increasing police patrols on the temple land. Despite these measures, some Muslims, led by local leader Kaleem Ansari, continue construction efforts.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
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. Not only the Temple but the Temple premises in its entirety are considered sacred by Hindus. In several cases, the premises of the Temple and/or religious centre are illicitly taken over by institutions belonging to other faiths – like the Waqf board or the Church. Other times, the temple property, land or the property of religious centres are illicitly encroached by non-Hindu groups. Any illicit take over or encroachment is a crime an initio, however, when non-Hindu groups illicitly take over or encroach the sacred land of Hindus, it is an affront to the Hindu community and is therefore classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category.
Case Status
Case sub-judice
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
