Hindu women harassed by Muslim youths while performing Bhajans in a temple; Hindu men assaulted for objecting
West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India 
16 February, 2025
Case Summary
In West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, Hindu women were harassed by three Muslim men inside a temple premises. When Hindu men objected to this and tried to defend Hindu women, they too were attacked by Muslim men. According to X user @ssaratht, in the Duvva village near Tanuku, West Godavari district, AP, while Hindu women were performing bhajans in a temple near the highway, three Muslim men arrived and started harassing them. When some Hindu men intervened, they were physically assaulted. This incident outraged the Hindu community of the entire area and the Hindus blocked the highway and protested against this amidst chants of 'Jai Sri Ram'.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Attack not resulting in death. Under this, the first sub-category selected is- Attacked for Hindu identity. In several cases, Hindus are attacked merely for their Hindu identity without any perceived provocation. A classic example of this category of religiously motivated hate crime is a murder in 2016. 7 ISIS terrorists were convicted for shooting a school principal in Kanpur because they got ‘triggered’ seeing the Kalava on his wrist and tilak that he had put. In this, the Hindu victim had offered no provocation except for his Hindu religious identity. The motivation for the murder was purely religious, driven by religious supremacy. Such cases where Hindus are targeted merely for their religious identity would be documented as a hate crime under this category. The second sub-category under which this case has been placed is- Attacked for opposing radicals or trying to save victim. In several cases, Hindus are attacked for opposing religiously motivated crimes being committed against a fellow Hindu or simply for voicing an opinion opposing radical elements, who either have in the past or continue to persecute Hindus. In such cases, the initial attack against the victim, against which the Hindu was trying to defend the victim, would also need to be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime. Since the initial crime itself was religiously motivated and the subsequent crime of attempting to save the victim or speaking against the radical elements ends up inviting a violent attack, it would also be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. This incident in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, can be categorised as a hate crime under the categories mentioned above, firstly, due to the clear targeting of Hindu individuals within a sacred space. The harassment of Hindu women while they were engaged in religious worship inside a temple premises indicates an act of religious intimidation, aimed at disturbing and disrespecting their spiritual practices. Furthermore, when Hindu men stepped in to protect the women from this harassment, they too were physically attacked, showing a deliberate aggression towards those defending their faith and community. This escalation of violence against Hindus for merely standing up for their religious rights underscores the hostile intent behind the attack. In fact, this was not just an isolated act of misbehaviour but a blatant attempt to intimidate Hindus in their own place of worship. The selective targeting of Hindus in a temple by Muslim men reveals an underlying religious animosity, making this a case of violence motivated by hatred towards Hindus and their identity.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
