Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue vandalised in Kanyakumari
Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India 
8 April, 2023
Case Summary
On April 9, 2023, a nine feet Chhatrapati Shivaji statue that was installed 15 years ago near Thothathumadam Navaneethakrishnan temple, in the Kuzhitharai area in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu was vandalised by unknown miscreants. On Sunday morning (April 9), when the villagers saw this, they reported it to the police.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
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. Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated as a protector of Hindu culture and religion during a period when the Indian subcontinent was under the influence of the tyrannical Mughal rule. He established a Hindu kingdom and worked to revive and protect Hindu traditions, temples, and customs. Shivaji is seen as a saviour who defended Hindu traditions and practices from potential suppression which is why he is venerated by Hindus. This is a case of religious harassment that is severe enough to be included in the hate tracker since the defacement of Shivaji Maharaj's statue by the miscreants is a clear assault on Hindus and their faith and is motivated by an underlying animosity for the religion. It is also 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 Shivaji Maharaj's sacred idol and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
