MP Chief Justice orders removal of Hanuman temple from official residence premises

Case ID : b45f512 | Location : Madhya Pradesh, India | Date of Incident : Wed, 25 December, 2024
Case ID : b45f512
location Madhya Pradesh, India
date 25 December, 2024
MP Chief Justice orders removal of Hanuman temple from official residence premises
Attack on Hindu religious representations
Desecration of Hindu religious symbol
Attack on Temples

Case Summary

The Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Supreme Court Judge Justice B.R. Gavai, urging an inquiry into the alleged demolition of an ancient Hanuman temple located within the official residence of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait. The association, represented by its president Dhanya Kumar Jain, demanded legal action against those responsible, citing the temple’s historical and religious significance. The letter described the temple as an ancient structure that had been a place of worship for numerous Chief Justices, including Justice Bobde, Justice Khanwilkar, and Justice Hemant Gupta, all of whom respected its sanctity during their tenure. Notably, even former Muslim Chief Justices Rafat Alam and Rafiq Ahmed refrained from opposing the temple and respected the religious sentiments of their staff. The association expressed concerns that the demolition might be linked to Justice Kait’s Buddhist faith, though it emphasised no objection to his personal beliefs. Advocate Ravindra Nath Tripathi, a member of the MP High Court Bar, initially raised concerns about the temple’s removal, urging an investigation and calling for Justice Kait’s withdrawal from a pending PIL seeking the removal of temples from police stations. Tripathi also requested permission to initiate legal action against Justice Kait, should evidence of wrongdoing emerge. He reiterated that the temple was not personal property but a government-maintained structure. The complaint sparked widespread anger within the legal community and the general public, with the Bar Association describing an atmosphere of grief and outrage over the incident. Jain stated that the association had reliable information that Justice Kait ordered the temple’s demolition, a move viewed as unprecedented given that previous Chief Justices had actively participated in religious activities there.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

Distinct elements in this particular case demonstrate that the act was committed while harbouring a bias against the Hindu faith. Because of the case's specifics, this case has been placed under the prime category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the first sub-category selected 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. The second sub-category selected here 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. Hindu temples are sacred spaces dedicated to the worship of deities and the performance of rituals and prayers central to the Hindu faith. Despite this understanding, Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait ordered the demolition of the ancient Hanuman temple within his official residence. Historically preserved and respected by predecessors of diverse backgrounds, this act reflects a significant bias against Hinduism. The destruction undermines the sanctity of Hindu symbols and represents a direct attack on religious representations. Such actions usually stem out of hatred against Hinduism warranting its classification as a hate crime rooted in animosity toward the Hindu faith.

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Case Status


Complaint filed

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Perpetrators Details

Perpetrators


Others

Perpetrators Range


One Person

Perpetrators Gender


male

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