Hindu religious sentiments mocked: Muslim men dance on top of Hindu temple amidst Muharram procession
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India 
5 July, 2025
Case Summary
In Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Sharada was targeted by three Muslim youths who dressed as lions and danced on top of the temple. This act took place during the time of the Muharram procession. According to news reports, the three accused had dressed up as lions and were part of the Muharram procession. They climbed on top of the temple and began dancing there, which caused outrage among local Hindus. This act was seen as a desecration of the temple’s sanctity. The local Hindus and Hindu organisations described this act as condemnable and stated that such actions were deliberate attempts to hurt their sentiments. A video of the incident went viral on social media, causing further outrage. As soon as the video was circulated, the Tarbahar police team took action. The police questioned people nearby. Following this, the three Muslim accused were arrested and interrogated by the police. The police also subsequently launched an investigation to uncover further details about the incident. People associated with Hindu organisations demanded strict action against the three accused.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within this, the subcategory 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 other subcategory selected 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. In this case, three Muslim youths, during the Muharram procession, deliberately climbed to the top of a Hindu temple and began dancing on it. This was not a random, isolated incident, but rather, it was a deliberate act of disrespect to the temple. This act was intended to provoke and hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. Such actions showcase that the Muslim perpetrators had no respect for the sanctity of Hindu temples or the religious beliefs of the Hindu community. Instances like this are a result of disdain for Hinduism and its sacred sites, making it a religiously motivated crime. For Hindus, a temple is a sacred space where the presence of the divine Hindu deities is felt. The sanctity of temples is central to the Hindu faith and the religious identity of the Hindu community. Climbing and dancing on the temple roof is a deliberate act of disrespect and desecration and undermines the sanctity of a Hindu temple. Such acts are a symbolic display of dominance where the perpetrator wants to make a visual and symbolic statement of superiority. It sends a message that Hindu religious sites are not off-limits and can be desecrated or humiliated with impunity. This mindset stems from entrenched animosity against Hindus and their faith, wherein acts of desecration or provocation are not viewed as transgressions but as justified assertions against a community seen as the religious ‘other’. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that this act took place during a Muharram procession, with the Muslim accused actively participating in the event. The timing is particularly significant, as it suggests that the desecration was not random but a calculated display intended to assert dominance during a high-visibility religious occasion. Utilising a sacred Islamic event to climb and dance atop a Hindu temple indicates a deliberate provocation, symbolising contempt for Hindu sacred spaces and seeking to humiliate the local Hindu community under the guise of religious celebration. Since this case is motivated by religious animosity towards Hindus and their sacred temple, this case is being added to the hate crime database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
