Ambedkarites vandalise Goddess Saraswati idol as it was placed next to Ambedkar statue
Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, India 
5 February, 2025
Case Summary
Just days after the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, also known as Saraswati Puja, which was observed on February 2, 2025, an unsettling incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district. A group of individuals identifying as Ambedkarites reportedly vandalised an idol of Goddess Saraswati. Their justification for this act of desecration was that the idol had been installed merely 10-20 meters away from a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The incident sparked outrage among devotees and the local Hindu community. A video of the damaged idol was shared on social media by X user @Shubham_fd, bringing the matter to wider public attention.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This incident is a clear example of a religiously motivated hate crime, driven by intolerance towards expressions of Hindu faith. Based on case details, it has been added under three categories of the tracker. The first is- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within 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 individuals responsible for the vandalism were fully aware that, in Hinduism, idols are revered as physical manifestations of deities, serving as focal points for devotion, meditation, and rituals. These sacred representations are believed to channel divine presence and blessings. By deliberately desecrating the idol of Goddess Saraswati, the perpetrators intentionally targeted the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. Their actions were clearly aimed at intimidating, harassing, or provoking Hindu worshippers. Moreover, this act was explicitly directed at Hindus, making it a form of religious harassment that warrants documentation in the tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
