Muslim restaurant owner desecrates Holy Tulsi Plant, plucks out and puts pubic hair on it

Case Summary
In a video that went viral on social media, a Muslim man identified as Abdul Hakeem was seen desecrating a Tulsi plant, which is considered sacred by Hindus. The accused was seen plucking out his pubic hair and putting it on the Tulsi plant as he walked past it. As soon as the video surfaced, widespread social media outrage followed. People started reposting and sharing the video expressing anger over the act. Subsequently, a complaint was filed by Hindu Aikya Vedi, a Hindu nationalist organisation in Kerala which led to Hakeem’s arrest. According to reports, this is not the first time that Abdul Hakeem, owner of National Paradise Restaurant, faced allegations. In a raid conducted in his restaurant in 2017, health authorities seized stale and spoiled food from his restaurant. He was also accused of installing hidden cameras in his hotel’s restrooms which resulted in complaints being filed against him at the Guruvayur police station. The matter was reportedly suppressed due to political intervention. Hakeem, as per reports, has also been accused of pelting stones at buses carrying Ayyappa devotees.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the sub-category 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 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. The case involving Abdul Hakeem desecrating a Tulsi plant strongly justifies its inclusion in the Hinduphobia tracker due to the deliberate and offensive act against a sacred Hindu symbol. The Tulsi plant holds immense significance in Hinduism, often associated with devotion and spiritual practices. By plucking his pubic hair and placing it on the plant, Hakeem engaged in a highly disrespectful and sacrilegious act aimed at dishonouring a religious symbol central to Hindu worship. Furthermore, the pattern of Hakeem's behaviour—his previous allegations involving stone-pelting at Ayyappa devotees—suggests a history of hostility toward the Hindu community, reinforcing the religiously motivated nature of this incident. This desecration, coupled with the broader context of Hakeem’s alleged actions, reflects a clear example of religious animosity that he harboured for Hindus and their faith and this is why this case has been included here.

Case Status
Arrested

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male