Insult to Hindu religious sentiments: Hindu deity's video distorted with Islamic greetings by Muslim man
Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, India 
23 August, 2025
Case Summary
In Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, Hindu religious sentiments were insulted by a Muslim youth named Shoaib. The accused created a video of Lord Hanuman in an objectionable manner. Media reports confirmed that, according to a complaint filed by a Hindu man named Harish, Shoaib deliberately edited a video of a youth dressed as Lord Bajrangbali by adding the background music of Islamic greetings, including "Salam Walekum", and made it viral on Instagram and Facebook. He deliberately edited and circulated the video to hurt religious sentiments. The incident provoked anger within the Hindu community, leading to a police complaint. Following the complaint, police registered a case against Shoaib under relevant sections relating to hurting religious sentiments. As the video spread online, members of the Hindu community gathered at the police station to protest. The police arrested Shoaib and later charged him under sections related to disturbing the peace.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of - Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within it, the sub-category selected is - Iconoclastic representation of Hindu Gods/Goddesses. An icon is a symbol of someone or something that is revered, or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal. 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. Any iconoclastic representation of these symbols, images and murtis is an affront to the religious beliefs and faith of the Hindu community itself since the symbols and icons are deeply religious in nature. In this sub-category of crime, we would record hate crimes and iconoclastic representations, in words, art, or any other form of representations of symbols that hold religious significance for the Hindu community. Since these symbols, icons and murtis are central to the Hindu faith, any iconoclastic representation of these symbols is born out of animosity towards the faith itself, manifesting itself through these symbols and therefore, these representations would be considered religiously motivated hated crimes. The second primary category selected here is - Hate speech against Hindus. Within it, the sub-category selected is - Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith. An icon is a symbol of someone or something that is revered, or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal. 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. Any iconoclastic representation of these symbols, images and murtis is an affront to the religious beliefs and faith of the Hindu community itself since the symbols and icons are deeply religious in nature. In this sub-category of crime, we would record hate crimes and iconoclastic representations, in words, art, or any other form of representations of symbols that hold religious significance for the Hindu community. Since these symbols, icons and murtis are central to the Hindu faith, any iconoclastic representation of these symbols is born out of animosity towards the faith itself, manifesting itself through these symbols and therefore, these representations would be considered religiously motivated hated crimes. This case has been added to the tracker because the Hindu deity, Lord Hanuman, was insulted in a distorted video created by the Muslim accused. It was a deliberate and public expression designed to insult and provoke the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The objectionable video edited by him was meant to insult Lord Hanuman, who is one of the most revered figures in Hinduism. The accused deliberately added the background music of an Islamic greeting, "Salam Walekum", to a video of Lord Hanuman and made it viral on Instagram and Facebook. This was an intentional distortion of Hindu iconography. The act symbolically sought to assert the superiority of Islam over Hinduism and to belittle sacred Hindu representations and Hindu deities. Such iconoclastic representation aligns with the classic pattern of religious subversion, where the sanctity of one faith is targeted through the imposition of the symbols of another. Hindu deities are central to the Hindu religion, and Lord Hanuman is one of the most revered figures in Hinduism. Any attempt to mock or insult such a deity stems from religious animosity towards Hinduism. These acts cannot be dismissed as isolated provocations; rather, they reflect a recurring behaviour pattern aimed at diminishing and delegitimising Hindu beliefs. Such actions can be understood as a form of symbolic violence on symbols or iconography that are considered sacred by the Hindu community. These acts go beyond the realm of criticism, satire or debate, seeking instead to denigrate a religious group and its revered deities. Instances of denigrating and abusing Hindu deities arise from entrenched religious animosity towards Hindus and their faith. In recent times, social media has increasingly become a platform for anti-Hindu hate, with derogatory memes, videos, and messages targeting Hindu religious symbols, practices, and deities. Such content is recognised as part of a broader pattern of Hinduphobia and religious hate crimes online. This deliberate targeting of revered religious icons firmly establishes this act as a religiously motivated hate crime; therefore, it is being categorised under the hate crime database. Disclaimer: The Hinduphobia Tracker records incidents based on when the crime occurred. However, in this case, it is important to clarify that the report does not specify the exact date when the video was posted on social media by the accused. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date based on when the complaint was filed - August 24, 2025.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
