Hindu deities subjected to derogatory remarks in social media post in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh
Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
29 August, 2026
Case Summary
In Garhmukteshwar, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, a video containing derogatory remarks against Hindu deities was circulated on social media. The accused was identified as Yogesh Prajapati, a resident of Jhadina village. In the video, Prajapati used abusive and objectionable language against Lord Parashurama and his mother, which led to public outrage in the area. The video subsequently spread on social media, bringing the matter to the attention of the police. Following the circulation of the video, Garhmukteshwar police used surveillance to identify Prajapati and arrested him. Police said that the video was being examined as part of the investigation and that legal action was being taken against him. Police appealed to people not to circulate objectionable material concerning religious or social issues and warned that strict action would be taken against individuals whose actions could disturb communal harmony and public order. The situation in the area remained normal following the arrest.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case is being added to the tracker under the primary category: Hate speech against Hindus. The subcategory selected is: Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith. Anti-Hindu slurs and the deliberate mocking of the Hindu faith owing to religious animosity involve the use of derogatory terms, stereotypes, or offensive references to religious practices, symbols, or figures. One of the common anti-Hindu slurs used against Hindus is “cow-worshipper” and “cow piss drinker”. The intention of using this term is to demean and mock Hindus as a group and their religious beliefs, since Hindus consider the cow holy. Additionally, some symbols and the slurs attached to them have a historical context that exacerbates the insult, hate, stereotyping, dehumanisation and oppression against Hindus. Cow worship has been used for centuries to denigrate Hindus, insult their faith and oppress Hindus specifically as a religious group. There has been overwhelming documentation about how cow slaughter has been used to persecute Hindus, with cow meat being thrown in temples and places of worship. There has also been overwhelming documentation that cow meat (beef) has been force-fed to Hindus to either forcefully convert them to Islam or denigrate their faith. Apart from cow worship, the Swastika – which holds deep religious significance for Hindus – has also been misinterpreted and distorted to be used as a slur against Hindus. Similarly, the worship of the Shivling has been used by supremacist ideologies and religions to denigrate Hindus owing to religious animosity. Such slurs and denigration stem from inherent animosity and hate towards Hindus and their faith; therefore, it is categorised as hate speech targeted at Hindus specifically owing to their religious identity. The incident qualified as a hate crime because the offensive content was directed specifically at revered Hindu religious figures rather than constituting a general act of abusive speech. Lord Parashurama is a prominent figure in Hindu religious tradition, and his mother, Renuka Mata, is also venerated by Hindus. The use of abusive and derogatory language against both figures therefore targeted individuals who hold sacred and religious significance within Hinduism. By directing the remarks towards these revered figures, the act had a clear religious dimension and had the potential to offend and humiliate members of the Hindu community on the basis of their faith. The religious nature of the offence was further evident from the specific subjects of the remarks. The content did not concern a private individual, political figure or secular institution, but demeaned Lord Parashurama and Renuka Mata, who are associated with Hindu religious beliefs, mythology and worship. Attacks on such sacred figures can have an impact beyond the immediate target because they are perceived as an affront to the faith, traditions and religious identity of the community that venerates them. The circulation of the objectionable material on social media further amplified its reach, allowing the derogatory content to be viewed and shared by a wider audience and increasing its potential to cause religious offence. The case was therefore included as an instance of hate directed against Hindus because the target of the derogatory expression was intrinsically connected to Hindu religious belief and worship. The offence lay not merely in the use of abusive language, but in the denigration of figures regarded as sacred within Hinduism. Targeting Lord Parashurama and Renuka Mata in this manner constituted an attack on Hindu deities and beliefs, distinguishing the incident from ordinary abusive speech and providing the basis for its categorisation as a hate-related incident. Disclaimer: The Hinduphobia Tracker records incidents based on when an event occurred or when the victim's ordeal began. It is important to clarify that none of the media sources covering this case has specified the exact date when the accused posted those derogatory remarks. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date based on when the incident was reported in the media, 30 August 2026.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
