Stone pelted at mutt in Afjalpur in Karnataka after the seer of mutt speaks against love jihad and cow slaughtering
Afzalpur, Karnataka, India 
29 December, 2021
Case Summary
Tension erupted in Afjalpur town of Kalburgi district, Karnataka, after miscreants threw stones at a religious mutt's building following remarks against love jihad by the mutt's seer, Kedar Sree Swamiji. The incident occurred while Swamiji was asleep inside the Mashala Siddalingeshwara Samsthan mutt on Thursday night. Earlier, on December 28, Swamiji had spoken against love jihad and cow slaughtering during a Hindu Jagruthi Sene event in Kalburgi. Suspicions arose that the stone-pelting was in retaliation to his comments. Hindu Jagruthi Samithi spokesperson Mohan Gowda highlighted the challenges faced by Hindus in the Muslim-dominated area of Afjalpur.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In Hinduism, a religious structure is also considered divine. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the religious structure itself is sacred. In this sub-category, we would document attacks against religious structures which are not consecrated temple spaces. Such religious spaces could be temporary in nature – for example – the religious spaces erected specifically for festivals like Durga Puja etc. This category would also document cases of attacks against religious centres. These spaces in their own right may not be ‘sacred’ per se, however, are often spaces where religious gurus live, religious teaching is imparted, or belong to religious institutions. Any attack against religious structures is a result of animosity towards the religion itself, which manifests itself through the religious spaces and therefore, such attacks are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Religious centres are also manifestations of the religion, its teachings or gurus and therefore, attacks against such centres would be considered religiously motivated hate crimes. In this case, stones were pelted at the mutt in Afjalpur in Karnataka. In Hinduism, a "Mutt" (also spelt "Matha" or "Math") is a monastic institution or religious establishment that serves as a centre for religious activities, learning, and spiritual practices. Given this, an attack on a Mutt is viewed not just as an act of vandalism or violence but as an affront to the religious beliefs, cultural heritage, and community life of Hindus. Despite being aware of these facts, the perpetrators vandalised the mutt in Karnataka. It is important to mention here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed out of hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
