Sacred Durga pandal set ablaze, idols of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha desecrated amid Navratri in Morigaon, Assam
Morigaon, Assam, India 
19 October, 2026
Case Summary
In the Dongabari area of Jagiroad, Morigaon district, Assam, a Durga Puja pandal was set on fire by two unknown miscreants. The fire destroyed the idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Ganesha housed in the pandal, along with other worship materials and articles used in Durga Puja rituals. The fire also damaged all other festival arrangements. The incident took place on the night of Tuesday, 20 October 2026. The fire started at the rear of the pandal and spread rapidly to the idols and other materials stored inside, desecrating the three idols and damaging the puja arrangements. Residents extinguished the blaze before informing the police. Police personnel subsequently arrived at the scene and began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. As part of the investigation, police questioned and detained two individuals in connection with the fire. Police continued investigating the incident to establish the sequence of events, determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible for the destruction of the pandal and sacred Hindu idols.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case is being added to the tracker under the primary category: Attack on Hindu religious representations. The subcategory selected 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. The other subcategory selected 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 the 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. This case highlights a grave act of hostility towards Hindu religious practices, as a religious structure, the Durga Puja pandal was set ablaze, destroying the idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, along with worship materials and other articles used in Hindu religious observances. The destruction of sacred Hindu idols and a religious site during preparations for Durga Puja constituted a serious attack on Hindu religious sentiments and the sanctity of their worship. Durga Puja is a major Hindu festival centred on the worship of Goddess Durga and commemorating her victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of righteousness over evil. During the festival, devotees gather at specially constructed Puja pandals, where the idol of Goddess Durga is installed and worshipped through prayers, rituals, offerings and other religious observances. The pandal therefore serves as an important sacred space for Hindu worship and religious congregation, particularly during the festival when devotees gather to celebrate and participate in religious rituals. Setting such a pandal on fire amounts to a direct attack on a space associated with Hindu worship and demonstrates clear hostility towards Hinduism and the Hindu community. The act also showed disregard for Hindu religious sentiments and caused fear and insecurity among members of the Hindu community. The destruction of the idols of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha strikes at the heart of Hindu religious devotion. These sacred deities occupy a central place in Hindu faith, and their idols serve as focal points of worship, prayer and reverence during Durga Puja. For Hindus, these are not ordinary statues or replaceable decorative objects; they represent revered deities and form an integral part of an established religious tradition. The destruction of the three idols in a single incident therefore constituted a grave affront to the sanctity of the worship space and inflicted profound religious distress upon devotees who gather to honour these deities. Such destruction went beyond material loss and struck at the religious significance of the entire place of worship. Beyond the idols themselves, the destruction of worship materials, religious articles and puja arrangements affects the wider practice of Hindu religious observance. These materials form an essential part of the preparations through which devotees perform rituals, express their faith and participate in collective worship. Their destruction disrupts religious arrangements and undermines the effort, devotion and resources invested in preparing a pandal for Durga Puja. Their destruction therefore compounded the damage to Hindu religious sentiments and represented a serious affront to the religious practices associated with one of Hinduism's significant festivals. Equally significant is the timing of such an incident during preparations for Durga Puja, a major Hindu religious festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. The festival brings devotees together through prayer, rituals and collective religious observance. A Durga Puja pandal serves as a focal point for these activities and represents the community's collective devotion and effort in preparing it. The destruction of the idols and religious arrangements during this period consequently disrupted the preparations for a sacred occasion and undermined the purpose for which the worship space is established. Attacks on religious sites during important festivals carry particular significance because they affect not only physical structures but also devotees' ability to practise and celebrate their faith in a space prepared for worship. Some may argue the fire was accidental. However, several circumstances warranted scrutiny, especially the cover of darkness under which the incident occurred. It is also important to mention here that, though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed from hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred space and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
