Kerala Govt directs state police to remove saffron flags placed inside the Vellayani temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India 
23 March, 2023
Case Summary
On March 24, 2023, the Kerala police, on the directions of the communist government in the state, directed the Vellayani temple in Thiruvananthapuram that they could not put up saffron flags ahead of Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam. As a mark of protest, several Hindu women wore saffron blouses, suits and dupattas during the festival. The temple authorities had also refused to remove the saffron flags. The devotees stated that the police were helping anti-Hindu elements in the state. The police had claimed that saffron flags could create a ‘law and order’ situation.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In several cases, it is seen that the administration/state disallows a religious practice owing to prejudicial orders and concerns, targeted specifically against the Hindu community. Such restriction/prohibition would be considered documented as a hate crime because the orders are often a result of pressure by groups that harbour animosity towards Hinduism and Hindus. Often, the restriction by the authorities is driven by bias, hostility, or prejudice against the specific community being stopped from holding a religious practice, by pressure groups that harbour animosity towards Hindus, intrinsic to their faith. Since practices are intrinsic to the faith of the Hindus, such prejudicial restriction is considered a curtailing of the fundamental rights of the Hindu community. In several cases, for example, the authorities ban a Hindu religious practice due to pressure from groups opposed to the religion. In other instances the prohibition is selectively enforced against one religious group (Hindus) while others are allowed to proceed. There are still other cases where the authorities preemptively restrict a religious practice by Hindus because those who hold animosity towards Hindus may get “provoked” leading to them being violent, thereby assuaging the sentiments of those who hold animosity towards Hindus by curtailing the religious rights of Hindus. Such acts and orders are prejudiced, indicating discriminatory motives owing to the capitulation to groups that harbour animosity towards Hindus and therefore, would be categorized as a religiously motivated hate crime since the original pressure leading to the order itself is a result of hatred/bias/prejudice/religious hate against Hindus. Here, the communist government in Kerala ordered the state police to remove the saffron flags installed inside the premises of a Hindu temple. The saffron flag, known as the “Bhagwa Dhwaj” or “Kesari Flag,” holds profound significance in Hinduism. It symbolises various spiritual and cultural aspects of the Sanatan Dharma. Saffron, representing purity and spirituality, is associated with the sacred fire, a central element of Hindu rituals. The flag often bears symbols like the Om, signifying the ultimate reality, and the Trishul, the divine weapon of Lord Shiva. It is seen during religious processions, ceremonies, and atop temples, signifying the presence of the divine. The saffron flag unifies devotees, fostering a sense of belonging and reverence, making it an essential emblem of Hindu faith and identity. Kerala's communist govt objected to the installation of a saffron flag inside the temple premises. This act is an infringement on the religious rights of the Hindu community and stems out of animosity and prejudice towards the Hindu community, for their religious beliefs. Further, restricting the display of a religious symbol inside a temple can also be considered a prejudicial order denying the Hindu community its fundamental rights. It is also pertinent to note here that the saffron flags were removed from inside a Hindu place of worship because the state believed it could 'create a law and order situation'. This essentially means that the state decided to infringe on the religious rights of Hindus to placate non-Hindu groups who harbour intrinsic animosity towards Hindus and their faith in the fear that their animosity may lead to violence. This is victimizing the victim and denying religious rights to placate extremists. Since the demand for the removal of the saffron flag and the order as a result of it both were prejudicial to the rights of Hindus and the original demand itself stemmed from animosity and prejudice against Hindu beliefs, this case is being categorised as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
State and Establishment
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
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