Durga idol situated in a Hindu monastery damaged by Muslim children
Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, India 
7 April, 2025
Case Summary
In the village of Mai, located in the Kotwali area of Sambhal district, an incident took place in which children from the Muslim community vandalised a Durga idol situated in a local monastery. As soon as reports of the vandalism were received, law enforcement personnel and representatives of Hindu groups arrived at the scene. Members of the Hindu community stated that the village had a very small Hindu population and they saw the act as an attempt by the other community to assert dominance. They demanded swift and strict action against those involved. Inspector-in-Charge confirmed that the idol had been damaged by children and assured that a police team had been deployed to the area to monitor the situation.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. nder 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. This incident constitutes a hate crime because the desecration of a Hindu idol (murti), especially in a sacred space like a monastery, signifies more than an act of mischief—it represents a deliberate affront to the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. Such acts are motivated by animosity towards Hinduism, as they attack the most sacred representations of the faith. The targeting of the Durga idol, particularly in a village where Hindus form a minority, reflects an attempt to assert dominance and undermine their religious identity. The act of vandalism sends a hostile message to the community that their beliefs and sacred icons are not safe or respected. It is this deliberate targeting of a religious symbol, central to the practice of the faith, that makes the act a religiously motivated hate crime. The other disturbing aspect in this case is that all the accused were minor children. This sheds light on how, tragically, this animosity against the Hindus and their faith seems to be ingrained in them since childhood. The venomous seed of hatred has historically been sown by Muslim radicals, particularly targeting Hindus who have borne the brunt of this prejudice. They openly endorse the concept of Islamic supremacy and harbour animosity toward Hindus. Though it was Muslim children who vandalised the Hindu idol, it highlights the Islamists' ingrained animosity against Hinduism, which catalyses these kinds of horrific acts. This instance has been added to the tracker under the following category since disrespect for the Hindu religion is the primary purpose behind this incident.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
