Muslim man and a minor dump severed head of buffalo near Hanuman temple in Delhi
North East Delhi, Delhi, India 
29 June, 2023
Case Summary
On June 30, 2023, the severed head of a buffalo was discovered near a Hindu temple on Nala Road in the West Gorakh Park area of Northeast Delhi. Police at the Welcome police station received a call at 5:30 pm reporting the presence of animal remains near a Hanuman temple. A video circulating on social media depicted the severed buffalo head lying on the road near the temple, with a crowd of Hindus gathered to discuss the incident. Authorities initiated an investigation and determined that two individuals on a scooter had dumped the buffalo head near the temple. Subsequently, the police arrested a 27-year-old named Azeem and a 16-year-old minor, both residents of Baburpur in Delhi. They were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including promoting enmity between different religions and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings. In a statement, the police affirmed their prompt action in response to the incident.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
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. In this case, despite understanding that Hindu temples are centres of worship and sanctity and introducing meat into these spaces is considered a violation of their sacredness, the perpetrators desecrated the premises by throwing the severed head of a buffalo near the Hanuman temple. The action of the Muslim youths stemmed from hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
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