Sacred Peepal tree in village cut by Muslim father-son duo

Case Summary
A Peepal tree, considered sacred in Hindu beliefs, was cut down by 60-year-old Irfan Hashim and his son Nauved. They felled the old tree around 6 PM, violating the village's religious sentiments. Upon learning of the incident, villagers immediately informed the police, who arrived to find most of the tree already cut, with a small portion remaining. The news spread quickly, sparking anger among the villagers, as the peepal tree was regarded as a symbol of worship and faith. Women gathered at the site to perform rituals and expressed grief over the act, calling it unfortunate. The villagers stated that the tree was not just vegetation but a part of their cultural and religious heritage, and its destruction deeply hurt their sentiments. The residents demanded strict legal action against the accused to preserve Hindu beliefs and maintain peace in the village. They also notified the forest department for further intervention. Prominent villagers, including former village head Arun Kumar, joined others in urging the administration to act swiftly.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added as a religiously motivated hate crime under the category- 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 felling of the sacred Peepal tree was a direct attack on the religious sentiments of Hindus in the village. The Peepal tree holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism, often regarded as an abode of deities and worshipped by devotees. Cutting down the revered Hindu symbol was a deliberate attempt to offend Hindu beliefs and traditions. Such an act reflects a profound disregard for the faith and its practices, stemming from underlying animosity toward Hinduism. This incident exemplifies an intentional effort to insult religious sentiments, warranting its inclusion as a serious offence motivated by hatred.

Case Status
Complaint filed

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male