Hindu temple land encroached: Priest's family threatened and brutally assaulted for opposing encroachment
Ajmer, Rajasthan, India 
1 June, 2026
Case Summary
In Kekri, Rajasthan, a Hindu temple's land was encroached upon by the land mafia and influential individuals. Furthermore, when the temple's priest and his family opposed the encroachment, they were brutally assaulted by the perpetrators. The incident came to light after members of the Vaishnav community submitted a memorandum to the Additional District Collector, demanding immediate administrative intervention. According to the memorandum, the Doli land (land that has historically been granted to a Hindu temple, deity, or priestly establishment for the maintenance of religious activities, temple upkeep, rituals, and the livelihood of priests) belonging to several Hindu temples in the Kekri region had been occupied by land mafias and influential individuals. The community stated that whenever priests attempted to resist the occupation of temple properties or sought the restoration of temple land, they faced intimidation, harassment, and violence. The memorandum specifically highlighted the case of the Gopalji Temple in Sapunda village, where land recorded under various Khasra numbers and belonging to the temple had been encroached upon. On 2 June 2026, members of the priest's family, including women, were assaulted after opposing the occupation of the temple land. Following the incident, a complaint was lodged at Sarwad Police Station. The community also reported instances of misbehaviour towards women from priest families and stated that those attempting to protect temple properties were subjected to threats and coercion. The Vaishnav community further pointed to the long-standing encroachment of Doli land belonging to the Laxminath Temple in Kekri and stated that temple lands in several other villages were also under unauthorised occupation. Priests who demanded the removal of encroachments reportedly received death threats. Expressing concern over the growing encroachment of Hindu religious properties, the community urged the administration to conduct a comprehensive survey of temple lands across the region, identify all encroachments, remove illegal occupants through a special drive, initiate strict legal action against those responsible, and provide security to affected priest families.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The primary category for this case is "Attack on Hindu religious symbols". The sub-category for this case is "Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near temple" 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. The other sub-category selected is - Attack not resulting in death. Within it, the sub-category selected is - Attacked for opposing radicals or trying to save victim. In several cases, Hindus are attacked for opposing religiously motivated crimes being committed against a fellow Hindu or simply for voicing an opinion opposing radical elements, who either have in the past or continue to persecute Hindus. In such cases, the initial attack against the victim, against which the Hindu was trying to defend the victim, would also need to be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Since the initial crime itself was religiously motivated and the subsequent crime of attempting to save the victim or speaking against the radical elements ends up inviting a violent attack, it would also be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. This case has been included in the tracker because it involved the encroachment of land belonging to Hindu temples and the subsequent intimidation and assault of Hindu priests and their family members when they attempted to protect temple property. The Doli land attached to several Hindu temples in the Kekri region of Ajmer district was occupied by land mafias and influential individuals. Doli land forms an integral part of a Hindu religious institution and is dedicated to the maintenance of temples, the performance of religious rituals, and the sustenance of priests responsible for carrying out worship and other religious functions. Consequently, any attempt to unlawfully occupy or seize such land constitutes an attack not merely on property but on assets dedicated to Hindu religious worship and the functioning of a Hindu religious institution. A Hindu temple is not merely a place of worship but a sacred institution that holds deep religious, cultural, and social significance for the Hindu community. The land attached to a temple is often regarded as belonging to the deity and forms an essential component of the temple's religious and administrative existence. Such land supports religious activities, festivals, charitable functions, and the livelihood of those entrusted with the temple's upkeep. Therefore, the encroachment of temple land undermines the integrity of the religious institution and interferes with its ability to function in accordance with its religious purpose. The case is particularly significant because the encroachment was accompanied by violence and intimidation directed at those responsible for safeguarding temple property. In the case of the Gopalji Temple in Sapunda village, members of the priest's family, including women, were assaulted after opposing the occupation of the temple. The use of violence against priests and their families demonstrates that the incident extended beyond a mere land dispute and involved direct targeting of individuals associated with the management and protection of a Hindu religious institution. The assault on the priest's family is an important aspect of this case. Priests serve as custodians of Hindu temples and are responsible for preserving religious traditions, maintaining places of worship, and safeguarding temple property. When violence is directed against priests and their family members for resisting encroachment on temple land, it amounts to an attack not only on individuals but also on those entrusted with protecting Hindu religious institutions. Such acts create an atmosphere of fear and coercion that can discourage communities from defending temple property and asserting their religious rights. Given that this case involved the occupation of land belonging to Hindu temples, threats and violence against priests and their families, and attempts to intimidate those protecting Hindu religious assets, it meets the parameters of a hate crime targeting a Hindu religious institution and its custodians. Therefore, the case is being added to the hate crime database of the Hinduphobia Tracker.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
