Deliberate attack on Hindu religious sentiments: Hindu deities depicted obscenely at art exhibition in Maharashtra
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 
27 September, 2025
Case Summary
In the Colaba area of Mumbai, Maharashtra, Hindu religious sentiments were insulted after obscene cartoons of Hindu deities were displayed at the Mascara Gallery, an art gallery. According to reports, obscene cartoons of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali were being displayed inside the gallery, along with an indecent portrayal of the human body. Furthermore, there were no warnings at the entry or exit gates restricting the exhibition only to those above 18 years of age. Instead, the exhibition had open access to these offensive depictions that deeply hurt Hindu religious sentiments An FIR was registered at Colaba Police Station against cartoonist T. Vaikanna and gallery owner Abhay Maskara under sections 294, 295, 299, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and a police investigation was launched into the incident.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within it, the sub-category selected is - Iconoclastic representation of Hindu Gods/Goddesses. An icon is a symbol of someone or something that is revered, or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal. 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. Any iconoclastic representation of these symbols, images and murtis is an affront to the religious beliefs and faith of the Hindu community itself since the symbols and icons are deeply religious in nature. In this sub-category of crime, we would record hate crimes and iconoclastic representations, in words, art, or any other form of representations of symbols that hold religious significance for the Hindu community. Since these symbols, icons and murtis are central to the Hindu faith, any iconoclastic representation of these symbols is born out of animosity towards the faith itself, manifesting itself through these symbols and therefore, these representations would be considered religiously motivated hated crimes. This case has been added to the tracker because Hindu religious sentiments were insulted after obscene cartoons of Hindu deities were displayed at the Mascara Gallery in Colaba, Mumbai. The incident involved deliberate and public expressions that sought to insult and provoke the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The obscene depictions of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali were designed in a manner that undermined and abused Hindu beliefs, making the act a religiously motivated insult against Hindus and their faith. The offensive portrayal of sacred deities in such a way indicated a deliberate intent to provoke and hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Hindu deities are central to the Hindu religion, and both Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali are among the most revered figures in Hinduism. Any attempt to mock or denigrate these deities stems from religious animosity towards Hinduism. These actions cannot be dismissed as isolated provocations; rather, they reflect a recurring pattern of behaviour aimed at diminishing and delegitimising Hindu beliefs. Such actions constitute a form of symbolic attack against sacred icons and symbols that hold immense importance in the Hindu faith. They go beyond criticism or artistic expression, crossing into deliberate denigration of a religious group and its deities. Furthermore, the gallery was open to all visitors, with no signage restricting entry to those above 18 years of age. Such actions, especially when exposed to children, create an environment where Hindu sentiments can be mocked and Hindu deities insulted without consequence. This fosters a culture in which disrespect towards sacred Hindu symbols is normalised and tolerated, giving the impression that such acts can be carried out with impunity. Exposure to these offensive depictions can also lead Hindus to feel inferior or ashamed of their own faith, further undermining the respect and reverence for their religious traditions. In recent times, art exhibitions and public displays have increasingly become a platform for anti-Hindu hate, normalising derogatory portrayals of Hindu deities in the name of creativity, which in reality constitutes a direct attack on Hindu faith and culture. This deliberate targeting of sacred religious icons firmly establishes this act as a religiously motivated hate crime, and therefore, it is categorised under the hate crime database. Disclaimer: Hinduphobia Tracker documents incidents according to when the crime occurs, rather than when it is reported by the media. In this case, however, the report does not specify the exact date of the exhibition’s opening or when the complaint was filed. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date as 27th September 2025, based on when it was reported in the media.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
