Temple desecrated, idols of Hindu god and goddess destroyed and thrown in the pond
Darbhanga, Bihar, India 
10 January, 2023
Case Summary
One Mohammad Chand vandalised a Hindu temple in Azam Nagar mohalla in Bihar's Darbhanga district. The accused entered the temple and broke the statue of King Shailesh. The idols of gods and goddesses were damaged and thrown into the pond. He then set fire to the puja (worship) material kept in the temple. He was arrested after a protest was launched by the locals.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
According to the case details, 'attack on Temples' and 'desecration of Hindu religious symbol' are the two sub-categories under the core category 'attack on Hindu religious symbols' under which this case has been listed. The first relevant sub-category in this case is, 'Attack on Temples'. 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. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. The second sub-category relevant in this case 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. In this case, the perpetrators vandalised the temple, desecrated the idols and also set fire to the puja (worship) material placed in the temple. Such attacks on the premises of a temple that aim to cause harm to the temple or its devotees demonstrate the inherent hostility towards Hindus that radical Muslims harbour inside them. For this reason, this case qualifies for inclusion in the hate tracker database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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