Durga Maa temple vandalised, idol desecrated during Navratri celebrations
Hyderabad, Telangana, India 
9 October, 2024
Case Summary
On October 10, the idol of Goddess Durga was vandalised at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad, Telangana, during the Devi Sharan Navratri celebrations. Reports indicated that the attackers first disconnected the electricity supply and disabled the CCTVs before damaging the barricades and the arm of the idol, and discarding Puja paraphernalia. Police from the Begum Bazar station arrived at the scene to assess the damage, and a video showcasing the vandalism circulated on social media. An FIR was filed, and a probe was initiated, confirmed by ACP Chandra Shekhar. To prevent further disturbances, a significant police presence was deployed at the location, with local Hindus demanding stringent action against the offenders. Subsequently, one suspect, identified as Krishnaiah Goud, was arrested. The DCP of Central Zone, Akshahsh Yadav, stated that Goud, a vagabond, entered the Puja mandap seeking food, inadvertently causing damage to the idol. While the police arrested the accused, their statement raises more questions than it answers. OpIndia, in its report, posed some critical questions that the Hyderabad police must address. The most pressing question is, if Krishnaiah Goud was a ‘vagabond’—homeless, jobless, and merely looking for food—how did the desecration of the Murti occur while searching for food? Typically, a hungry, homeless person might break into the pandal, take the Prasad, and either eat it or leave with it. Why would a hungry person, supposedly in search of food, reach out and break the arm of the Murti? Furthermore, if the individual was truly hungry, why was the Prasad scattered in the Mandap instead of being consumed or taken? The police statement also fails to clarify how a "vagabond," essentially a homeless person, would disconnect the electric lines and CCTV before searching for food. It seems evident that the act was deliberate, as breaking the arm of the idol would require effort, given that the Prasad was placed much lower than the Murti itself. The video suggests that the vandal intentionally targeted the arm of the Deity.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the hate tracker under the prime category- Attack on Hindu religious symbols. Under this, as per the case details, two sub-categories have been chosen. The first under which this case has been placed 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. The second sub-category relevant here is- Violence against religious structures or centres. In Hinduism, a religious structure is also considered divine. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the religious structure itself is sacred. In this sub-category, we would document attacks against religious structures which are not consecrated temple spaces. Such religious spaces could be temporary in nature – for example – the religious spaces erected specifically for festivals like Durga Puja etc. This category would also document cases of attacks against religious centres. These spaces in their own right may not be ‘sacred’ per se, however, are often spaces where religious gurus live, religious teaching is imparted, or belong to religious institutions. Any attack against religious structures is a result of animosity towards the religion itself, which manifests itself through the religious spaces and therefore, such attacks are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Religious centres are also manifestations of the religion, its teachings or gurus and therefore, attacks against such centres would be considered religiously motivated hate crimes. In this incident, the perpetrator vandalized the Maa Durga pandal and desecrated the idol inside, reflecting a deeper issue of Hinduphobia among radicals. Such attacks aimed at harming places of worship and their devotees underscore the animosity that fuels these actions. Despite the Hyderabad police claiming that the accused was merely hungry and seeking food when the idol was desecrated by chance, OpIndia raised critical points that suggest this was a deliberate act of hate. The accused's actions—such as disconnecting the CCTV and specifically targeting the arm of the Murti, which was positioned much higher than the food (prasad) on the floor—indicate a motive that transcends mere desperation. This behaviour points to a calculated assault on Hindu religious customs and symbols, reinforcing the notion that such actions stem from hostility towards the Hindu community. Consequently, this incident qualifies as a hate crime and has been included in the hate tracker database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
