Muslim watchman encroaches 150-year-old temple, removes idols, restricts access

Case ID : 59549e6 | Location : Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India | Date of Incident : Wed, 18 December, 2024
Case ID : 59549e6
location Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
date 18 December, 2024
Muslim watchman encroaches 150-year-old temple, removes idols, restricts access
Attack on Hindu religious representations
Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near temple
Desecration of Hindu religious symbol

Case Summary

The Ganga Maharani Mandir in the Katghar area of Bareilly had been encroached upon by a Muslim man, Wahid Ali, and his family. The temple, established 150 years ago by Rakesh Singh's ancestors, had been a revered site for Hindu worshippers until prayers ceased in the 1950s. In recent decades, Wahid Ali, originally appointed as a watchman, gradually restricted access to the Mandir and locked it, preventing devotees from entering. Allegations surfaced that Wahid Ali removed the temple's sacred idols, including the Murtis and the Shivling. Over time, he and his family occupied the temple premises, converting it into their personal residence and claiming control over the entire 250-square-meter property. Rakesh Singh accused Wahid Ali of misusing his position as a watchman to assert dominance over the temple. The Muslim population in the area reportedly increased during this period, contributing to Wahid Ali’s growing influence. Despite the Mandir's registered ownership under the Ganga Maharani Trust since 1905, Wahid Ali continued to occupy it, claiming he was a representative of the Sadhan Cooperative Society. However, a government investigation found no records of Wahid Ali ever being employed by the Society or having any legitimate claim to the property. Hindu groups, outraged by the encroachment and desecration of the Mandir, decided to take action.They planned to meet the District Magistrate to demand Wahid Ali’s eviction and the temple's reopening for worship. They also aimed to reinstall the idols and restore the Mandir to its original purpose. The administration, following Rakesh Singh’s complaint, verified the illegal occupation. The Naib Tehsildar and Additional District Cooperative Officer confirmed that Wahid Ali had no legal basis for his claim. Wahid Ali was given an ultimatum to vacate the temple premises within seven days. If he failed to comply, the administration assured that further action would be taken to reclaim the Mandir.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

The prime category under which this case has been placed is- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, two sub-categories have been selected here, based on case details. the first 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 second 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 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. Wahid Ali and his family not only encroached upon the temple land but also locked the premises, restricted access to Hindu devotees, and removed sacred idols, including the Shivling and other murtis. These acts represent an encroachment on a space meant for Hindu worship and a calculated attempt to erase its religious identity. The desecration of sacred symbols, such as the removal of idols, demonstrates a blatant disrespect for the religious sentiments of Hindus and an effort to undermine the spiritual significance of the temple. The systematic occupation and transformation of the temple into a personal residence was not just illegal but also an affront to the sanctity of a space deeply revered by the Hindu community. Therefore, the case aligns with the selected sub-categories, as it encapsulates both the encroachment of temple property and the desecration of Hindu religious symbols, driven by religious hate and bigotry.

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Case Status


Complaint filed

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Perpetrators Details

Perpetrators


Muslim Extremists

Perpetrators Range


One Person

Perpetrators Gender


male

Case Details SVG
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