Hindu temple vandalised and Shiva Linga broken by unknown miscreants in West Bengal
North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India 
22 May, 2025
Case Summary
A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was vandalised at Baidyapara Ghat, under the jurisdiction of Halishahar Police Station in the North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The Shiva Linga of the temple was also damaged by the attackers. In addition to the Shiva Linga, the perpetrators also destroyed the paraphernalia used for performing Puja. According to news reports, the temple was vandalised by unknown miscreants. Locals suspected that the attackers repeatedly struck the Shiva Linga with a heavy object in an attempt to break it. However, as it is made of stone, the miscreants were unable to completely destroy it. The Chairman of Halishahar Municipality, Shubhankar Ghosh, visited the temple and stated that the damage would be addressed and the temple would be repaired. He mentioned that CCTV footage from the surrounding area would be reviewed to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence. He also suggested that individuals from the local community, who regularly visit the area, could be involved in the act. Following the incident, Hindu organisations, along with BJP workers, arrived at the site and began protesting. The vandalism of the temple caused outrage among locals and Hindu groups. A Hindu organisation member remarked that there has been a recent surge in attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples across West Bengal. He further blamed Mamata Banerjee and TMC-backed 'Jihadis', referring to Muslim extremists, for the violence against Hindus and Hindu temples in the state. He called on the local administration and police to act swiftly, warning that otherwise there would be demonstrations against the authorities. In a tweet, local politician Arjun Singh stated, “Though the area is surrounded by CCTV cameras, no culprit has been arrested yet. One can easily understand the law and order situation in West Bengal.” He further commented, “No one in the West Bengal police administration seems to care about the safety and security of Hindus and their religious places.”
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. The sub-category relevant in this case 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 sub-category relevant in this case 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. This case has been added to the tracker as it is an attack on a Hindu temple, an institution that holds immense spiritual importance in Hindu tradition. Temples are not merely physical structures; they are sanctified spaces believed to embody divine presence. Such attacks on temples not only cause physical destruction of the religious site but also inflict profound wounds on the spiritual and cultural fabric of the Hindu community, as temples symbolise their faith and collective identity. The deliberate assault on these revered spaces highlights the entrenched animosity towards Hindus and their faith. The attack also involves the deliberate desecration of Hindu religious symbols like the Shiva Linga. Reports say that the attackers tried to break the Shiva Linga by striking it multiple times with a heavy object, highlighting that the perpetrator had immense hatred and disdain for Hindu religious representations. In Hinduism, deities’ idols are not just artistic representations but are deeply revered manifestations of the divine. Any sort of attack on them is seen as a direct affront to the religious sentiments of Hindus and an act of profound disrespect. As this assault was directed at both Hindu sacred icons and a consecrated place of worship, it is classified as a religiously motivated hate crime against the Hindu community. In this case, although the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed from hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and the Shiva Linga. This action is rooted in disdain for Hindus and their religion. Since this case fits the parameters of a religiously motivated crime, therefore, it's being categorised under the hate crime database.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
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Perpetrators Range
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Perpetrators Gender
unknown
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