Church pastor vandalises Hindu Temples, posts Bible verses and threatening message about removing idols; arrested
Kallakkurichchi, Tamil Nadu, India 
11 November, 2024
Case Summary
The Kachirayapalayam police have arrested a church priest, Christ Raj, for pasting handwritten Bible verses and provocative slogans, such as "Jesus coming soon," on the walls of several temples in the area. The messages also included warnings that the temple idols would be removed and replaced. The incident took place on the night of November 12th, when handwritten Bible verses on chart paper were affixed to the walls of the Shiva, Pillayar, and Perumal temples in Kachirayapalayam, a village near Karadisithur in Kallakurichi District. The notes also contained a statement titled "A Condemnation to the Commons," signed by "Anniya/Stranger." Upon receiving a complaint, Inspector Yelumalai and his team launched an investigation and identified the suspect as 34-year-old Christ Raj, son of Santhanam, a resident of Kachirayapalayam. According to the police, Christ Raj, who had trained as a priest, had established a church near his home and actively preached his faith. Frustrated by the low attendance at his church, as most locals preferred visiting nearby temples, he resorted to vandalizing temple idols last month. On the night of November 12th, he is said to have written and posted the religious messages on the temple walls. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.
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 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. This incident highlights a deliberate act of religiously motivated hate, as the pastor targeted Hindu temples—sacred spaces for Hindus—with the intent of defiling them and promoting his religious ideology. The act of vandalism, combined with the posting of Bible verses and threats to remove idols, underscores the pastor's disregard for the sanctity of Hindu worship, further amplifying the hostility behind the crime. Since disrespect for the Hindu religion is the primary purpose behind this incident, this case has been added to the tracker under the following category.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
