Several idols of Hindu deities vandalised and desecrated in three ancient Hindu temples in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
27 October, 2026
Case Summary
In the Behta village of Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, multiple idols of Hindu deities were vandalised and desecrated in three ancient Hindu temples. The damaged idols included the Shivling and Nandi at Bhola Talab temple, as well as the Shivling, Hanuman and Nandi idols at Chaturbhuj temple and Shaheed Smarak temple. The idols were desecrated on the night of 28 October 2026, while the incident came to light on the morning of 29 October 2026, when a villager, Vishnudutt Dwivedi, discovered the damaged idols at Bhola Talab temple. Following the discovery, villagers and members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered at the site, raised slogans and demanded the arrest of those responsible and an impartial investigation. Police registered an FIR against unknown persons on the complaint of VHP block minister Dayashankar Dubey. Senior officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police GP Roy, Circle Officer Prayank Jain and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nishant Tiwari, visited the village as police questioned residents and examined CCTV footage from the surrounding area. Based on the investigation, police detained two suspects, including a local resident named Manoj Kushwaha. During interrogation, Manoj told police that he had damaged the idols because he was facing financial difficulties and hoped that the temples would be reconstructed, allowing him to obtain construction work and earn money for his medical treatment. Police also stated that Manoj was a drug addict and had been diagnosed with mental health issues, though the investigation into the incident remained ongoing. The administration subsequently announced that new idols would be installed in place of those damaged, with the cooperation of villagers.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
The incident involved the deliberate vandalism of seven idols across three Hindu temples, namely Bhola Talab, Chaturbhuj and Shaheed Smarak temples, in Behta village, Fatehpur. The damage to multiple Hindu religious structures prompted protests by villagers and members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, following which police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. However, the information that emerged during the investigation pointed towards a possible economic motive rather than religious hostility or anti-Hindu animosity. One of the detained suspects, Manoj Kushwaha, told police during interrogation that he had damaged the idols because he was facing financial difficulties and hoped that the destruction would lead to the reconstruction of the temples, thereby creating an opportunity for him to secure construction work and earn money to meet his medical expenses. While the deliberate targeting of Hindu sacred idols and temples was evident, the available information did not establish that the act was motivated by religious animosity or hostility towards Hinduism. Instead, the explanation provided during interrogation suggested a possible personal financial motive. Since the investigation was ongoing and the precise circumstances and motive behind the vandalism had not been conclusively established, the case was categorised as Undecided pending further evidence.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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