Idol of Hindu deity vandalised by a Muslim man in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh

Case ID : b45f6f3 | Location : Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh | Date of Incident : Sat, 11 January, 2025
Case ID : b45f6f3
location Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh
date 11 January, 2025
Idol of Hindu deity vandalised by a Muslim man in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh
Attack on Hindu religious representations
Attack on Temples
Desecration of Hindu religious symbol

Case Summary

In the Moulvibazar district, an Islamist vandalised parts of a Hindu Murti at a temple in the Bhairav Tali area. The incident occurred in the afternoon, and local Hindus apprehended the individual before handing him over to the police. The attack occurred amidst increasing chaos in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The political turmoil enabled Islamist extremists to target the Hindu community with widespread violence. Hindu homes have been attacked and burned, women abducted, and several temples destroyed in a series of violent incidents. The situation worsened following the arrest of three Hindu priests, leading to protests by Hindu minorities across Bangladesh. These demonstrations sought justice and demanded protection for the community amidst the unrest. The incidents raised concerns about the safety of Hindus and the preservation of their cultural and religious sites in the region.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

This case has been added to the tracker 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. The removal of Sheikh Hasina from power in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, escalated the persecution and marginalisation of the Hindu minority in the predominantly Islamic nation, intensifying what can be described as a silent genocide. Since her ouster, Islamists have carried out unchecked atrocities against Hindus, including physical violence, the destruction of temples and religious symbols, and the systematic displacement of Hindus from their ancestral lands. Over 205 attacks on Hindu temples, shops, and businesses have been recorded following Sheikh Hasina's removal as Prime Minister. Many Hindus have been brutally murdered or injured in these assaults. Amid this, this report indicates that an Islamist vandalised parts of a Hindu Murti at a temple in the Bhairav Tali area in Bangladesh. Hinduism regards its deities with profound reverence, considering them sacred. Acts of deliberate idol desecration, as demonstrated in this case, are seen as deeply offensive and sacrilegious. Such actions often stem from entrenched animosity and an intent to insult the faith. This clear attack on religious sentiments exemplifies hate and justifies its inclusion in the tracker.

Case Status Background
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Case Status


Unknown

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Perpetrators Details

Perpetrators


Muslim Extremists

Perpetrators Range


One Person

Perpetrators Gender


male

Case Details SVG
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