Saffron flag removed; vehicles with Mahadev stickers targeted by Muslim mob during protests against the Waqf law
Kolkata, West Bengal, India 
9 April, 2025
Case Summary
In the wake of protests following the passing of the Waqf Act in Parliament, West Bengal witnessed a series of protests across multiple districts. Areas such as Murshidabad, Nadia, and Malda reported unrest earlier, and similar protests were subsequently seen in Santragachi and Kolkata. During the protests, a video surfaced showing a bus driver removing a saffron flag from his vehicle while surrounded by a large group of Muslim demonstrators in Kolkata. The Muslim mob, engaged in protests against the Waqf Act, pressured the driver into taking down the flag, while police officers nearby remained passive. The saffron flag was removed amid cheers from the protestors. Another video from Santragachi showed Muslim men wearing skull caps vandalising a car adorned with a Mahadev sticker, a symbol of Hindu devotion. The men were seen kicking and damaging the vehicle while police at the scene made no effective effort to intervene.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added as a religiously motivated hate crime under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under 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. Desecration of Hindu religious symbols, such as the saffron flag and Mahadev sticker, constitutes a hate crime as it targets the visible representations of Hindu belief and devotion. When such symbols are forcibly removed, defaced, or destroyed in public view, it amounts to an attack on the identity and faith of Hindu worshippers. The deliberate targeting of these emblems is not just an act of vandalism but a clear expression of hostility toward Hindu religious sentiments. This incident reveals an attempt to infringe on the rights of Hindus to religious expression. Such actions not only disrespect the religious symbols but also serve to intimidate and discourage Hindus from openly expressing their beliefs. The attack, therefore, can be seen as a deliberate attempt to convey animosity against Hinduism by desecrating the sacred symbols, constituting a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 10 to 100
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
