Shiva temple vandalised in Meerut; sacred symbols damaged in attack
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India 
19 May, 2025
Case Summary
In Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim man vandalised an ancient Shiva temple located in the Bhatawada locality. The perpetrator also tried to steal valuables from the temple. He was caught by local residents. Rakesh Rai, a member of the temple committee, stated that in the afternoon, he was on his way to the market for some personal work. As he neared the ancient Shiva temple, he saw a young man breaking the glass encasing an idol inside the temple. Upon approaching and questioning him, the accused answered that he had come for worship. On inspection, it was found that the donation box’s lock had been broken, and the serpent figure on the Shiva Lingam was damaged. Witnessing this, Rakesh apprehended the accused and raised an alarm. Hearing the commotion, several people gathered at the site. The accused was questioned strictly. It was revealed that the perpetrator was a Muslim named Islam, son of Imran. He confessed that just a short while earlier, he had stolen cash from the temple’s donation box and a silver umbrella from an idol. He had returned to take the copper serpent figure. Members of the temple committee informed the local police station about the incident. It was reported that the police arrived much later despite being alerted promptly. Neither the temple committee nor the police could confirm the exact amount of cash stolen from the donation box. Meanwhile, based on the written complaint by Ashish, Yash Bhardwaj, and Praveen Sharma of the temple committee, the police registered a case and seized the stolen items recovered from the accused’s possession, and initiated legal proceedings.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Desecration of a Hindu temple is, in itself, a grave affront to the Hindu faith. Temples are not merely places of gathering, but are considered sacred abodes of divinity. Damaging idols, religious symbols, or structures within the temple violates the sanctity of the space and deeply offends the religious sentiments of devotees. In this case, an ancient Shiva temple was vandalised, the serpent figure on the Shiva Lingam was damaged, and religious items were stolen — acts that can easily be interpreted as a direct attack on Hindu religious practice. It was revealed that the perpetrator had previously stolen from the same temple, taking money from the donation box and a silver umbrella. He had returned to steal more, including a copper serpent figure, when he was caught. This repeated targeting of the same temple raises suspicion and cannot be dismissed as random. However, since the primary action in both instances appears to be theft, and in the absence of explicit evidence that the act was motivated by religious hatred or an intent to insult the faith, this case is currently being placed under the Undecided category. If further information emerges indicating a religious motive, it may be reclassified accordingly.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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