Hindu religious sentiments stirred as traditional Hindu ghat faces encroachment in Bundi, Rajasthan
Bundi, Rajasthan, India 
24 June, 2026
Case Summary
In Bundi district, Rajasthan, in the village of Gandoli Khurd, a site traditionally used for Hindu religious ceremonies associated with the annual Dol Gharas (Ekadashi procession) festival was illegally encroached upon. The ghat, situated on the banks of the Chacholia pond, had for many years served as the venue for the Jal Vihar procession and the grand aarti of twelve divine aircraft (vimans), forming an integral part of the village’s longstanding religious tradition. Villagers stated that individuals constructed permanent structures in the area, resulting in encroachment upon the religious site. Objecting to the encroachment, villagers from different communities submitted a memorandum to the Gandoli Gram Panchayat administration and the local police station. They demanded that the illegal construction be stopped immediately to preserve the traditional religious practices conducted at the site and to prevent injury to religious sentiments. The complaint was submitted by villagers, including Modulal Verma, Mohanlal, Nishant Verma, Shobhagmal, Nathulal, Radheshyam, Jugal Kishore, Prabhulal, Balram, Kanhaiyalal, Babulal, Surajmal, Narayan, Mahavir, and Dhanraj Verma. In response to the complaint, Gram Panchayat Administrator Padmavati Meena stated that an inspection of the site had been conducted. During the inspection, a tea stall owner who had erected a temporary thatched shed near the pond embankment was directed not to operate the stall at that location. The administrator further stated that a letter would be sent to the Tehsildar seeking a permanent resolution to the issue.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This incident has been placed under the Undecided category because, although the encroachment affected a site of religious significance to the local Hindu community, the currently available information does not conclusively establish that it was motivated by hostility towards Hinduism or by an intention to disrupt Hindu religious practices. According to the villagers, the site had traditionally been used for the annual Dol Gharas (Ekadashi) festival, including the Jal Vihar procession and the grand aarti of twelve vimans, making it an important venue for local Hindu religious observances. The alleged encroachment raised concerns that these longstanding religious traditions could be obstructed and that the religious sentiments of the Hindu community would be adversely affected. At the same time, the available reports do not clearly identify the individuals responsible for the encroachment, their religious identity, or whether the construction was undertaken with the specific objective of targeting a Hindu religious site. Land encroachments may arise from a variety of motives, including commercial or private interests, and the currently available evidence is insufficient to conclusively determine that the site's religious character was the primary reason for the alleged encroachment. Nevertheless, the incident remains significant because the alleged encroachment affects a site traditionally used for Hindu religious ceremonies and could interfere with the community's ability to conduct established religious observances. Should further evidence emerge indicating that the encroachment was deliberate, targeted, or intended to obstruct Hindu religious practices because of the site's religious significance, the classification may be reviewed accordingly. Disclaimer: The Hinduphobia tracker records incident dates based on when the crime occurs, rather than when it is reported by the media. In the present case, the date on which the encroachment began has not been specified in the available reports. Therefore, the date on which the incident was reported, 25 June 2026, is being selected as the indicative incident date for documentation purposes only.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
