Muslim vendors sell meat near Kashi Vishwanath temple, flout Government mandates
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India 
13 January, 2025
Case Summary
On January 13, 2025, Uttar Pradesh police filed FIRs against 15 shop owners in Varanasi for selling meat within a 2 km radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, despite prior warnings. The shopkeepers had been issued multiple notices by the local administration, instructing them to stop selling non-vegetarian food in the area. The action was taken after the shopkeepers ignored the directives, violating the regulations that prohibit the sale of meat near the temple. The accused shopkeepers, identified as Alam Qureshi, Amin, Bhuletan, Tanveer, Navaid, Shamim Qureshi, Mohd. Sharif, Mohd. Niaz, Bachha Qureshi, and Raiz, were booked under Sections 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 325 (mischief by killing or maiming animal) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was filed by the Municipal Veterinary Officer after it was found that some of the accused, like Riaz and Qureshi, were selling meat without licenses and operating in close proximity to the temple. The complaint also raised concerns about the unhygienic conditions at the meat shops, with the sale of meat in open areas, which posed a risk of infectious diseases. It was reported that the authorities had issued three prior notices, on February 17, 2024, January 2, 2025, and January 4, 2025, but the shopkeepers continued their operations. Dr. Santosh Pal, a veterinary officer from the Municipal Corporation, further confirmed that notices were given in March 2024 and again in the past week, warning the shopkeepers to comply. He stated that 26 shops in total had been identified for non-compliance, and complaints had been filed against them with the local police.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category- 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- Defiling religious customs. Sanatan Dharma is not a religion of one book, which is to say that while it has religious scriptures that form the central tenets of the faith, there are several traditions followed through thousands of years, mostly passed from generation to generation orally. There are several such customs and traditions that are followed by various Hindus and Hindu sects. Defiling of these traditions and customs is a breach of an individual or group’s religious practices. Such practices can range from dietary restrictions like not eating non-vegetarian food for a certain period of the year, not eating non-vegetarian food at all, not eating beef since the cow is considered holy in Hinduism, the sanctity of religious customs followed in the house (like many ISCKON devotees), etc. Any malicious action leading to the breach of such traditions or defilement of these traditions owing to animosity towards the faith or for the sake of activism stems not only from the lack of faith in the religion itself but also from disregard for the faith of the devotees who follow the customs/traditions and implicit bias against the faith, the tradition itself. Since these specific traditions are central to the faith of the devotees of that specific sect of Hindus, any non-compliance with these traditional rules would be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. The third sub-category under which this case has been placed is- Breaking rules of place of worship. Sanatan Dharma is not a religion of one book, which is to say that while it has religious scriptures that form the central tenets of the faith, there are several traditions followed through thousands of years, mostly passed from generation to generation orally. One of these oral traditions or written traditions is the rules of specific temples. Certain temples have rules which are traditional rules, dependent on the worship of the presiding deities. These rules and traditions have been followed for thousands of years whether they find scriptural mention or not. Such traditions are based on the nature and rules of worship of the presiding deity of that temple. Any non-compliance of these traditions owing to animosity towards the faith or for the sake of activism stems not only from the lack of faith in the presiding deity but also disregard for the faith of the devotees of that deity/temple and implicit bias against the faith, the tradition and the deity itself. Since these specific traditions are central to the faith of the devotees of that specific temple and presiding deity, any non-compliance with these traditional rules would be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. This incident exhibits several religious markers that point to a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, being one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism, holds immense spiritual significance, and the sale of meat in its vicinity violates the sanctity and religious ambience surrounding the temple. Selling non-vegetarian food, particularly in open areas near religious shrines, is considered disrespectful to Hindu practices, as these sacred spaces are regarded as centres of worship and purity. Despite repeated notices from authorities, the shopkeepers’ continued defiance of these orders can be interpreted as an intentional disregard for the religious norms upheld by the Hindu community. This deliberate violation, combined with the harm caused to the sanctity of the temple, constitutes an affront to Hindu beliefs, making the act religiously motivated. As a result, this case has been added to the tracker.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 10 to 100
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
