Shivling desecrated; Muslim man places his foot on the Hindu sacred symbol and records the act

Case Summary
Madhya Pradesh Police arrested a man named Imran Sukkha for insulting Lord Shiva by placing his foot on a Shivling. Imran recorded a video of the act and uploaded it on Instagram, which triggered outrage among the Hindu community. Following complaints from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad members, the police tracked him down and arrested him. The incident took place in Ratlam district on January 29. The video, posted from an Instagram account named ‘Sukkha Maharaj,’ quickly went viral, sparking demands for strict action. Hindu organisations reported the matter to the police, stating that the accused had deliberately disrespected Hindu religious beliefs. The complainants provided screenshots of the video and informed authorities that Imran was last seen near the Playground area. Based on a complaint filed by Mahavir, an FIR was registered at Station Road police station under Section 299 of BNS, 2023. The police confirmed that Imran, with a criminal history, was taken into custody. Station Road PI Swaraj Dabi stated that the accused would be presented in court, and a remand would be sought for further investigation.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category Attack on Hindu religious symbols and under this, the sub-category chosen 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 instance, a Muslim youth deliberately insulted the Shivling by placing his foot on it. The Shivling, a revered symbol in Hinduism, represents Lord Shiva and holds profound religious significance. Despite being aware of its importance, the perpetrator intentionally engaged in this reprehensible act. To further disrespect and belittle Hindu religious beliefs, he went so far as to record and share the despicable act. This incident can clearly be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus, as the perpetrator's actions stem from a profound animosity toward the Hindu faith. The deliberate act of insulting the Shivling by placing his foot on it is not a mere act of carelessness or disrespect, but rather an intentional affront to a symbol that is deeply sacred to millions of Hindus. By choosing to carry out such a reprehensible gesture and, moreover, recording and sharing it publicly, the Muslim youth sought not only to offend but also to demean the very core of Hindu religious beliefs. This deliberate disrespect highlights an underlying disdain for the Hindu faith, demonstrating that the act was not a random misstep but an expression of hostility directed at Hindus and their religious practices. Consequently, this case has been added to the Hinduphobia tracker.

Case Status
Arrested

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