Attack on Hindu sentiments: Beef dumped at the premises of Hindu temple in Assam
Hojai, Assam, India 
7 June, 2025
Case Summary
In the Barpukhuri area of Assam’s Hojai district, beef was dumped inside the premises of a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali amidst Barkrid or Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. This incident led to communal tensions in the area and resulted in the arrest of a Muslim man named Amir Hussain. According to reports, the incident took place at a Kali Mandir in Barpukhuri, near the Hojai-Jogijan road, where unidentified individuals threw beef inside the temple premises and onto nearby roads. This resulted in thousands of Hindu residents gathering in protest. The Hindu locals chanted slogans such as “Gau Hatya Bandha Korok”, meaning “Stop Cow Slaughter” and “Jai Shri Ram”. The Hindu protestors claimed that this was not the first such incident. One protester stated, “Every year during Bakrid, beef is dumped in temples or Hindu-majority areas. Authorities promise action, but nothing changes.” The situation escalated into religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims in Bhuyanpatty. The police were notified and arrived quickly at the scene, using lathi charges to disperse the crowd. Amir Hussain of Bhuyanpatty was arrested, and further investigations were launched. District officials, including Hojai District Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagwati, Superintendent of Police Saurabh Gupta, and MLA Ramkrishna Ghosh, rushed to the scene to restore order. They held discussions between both communities, appealing for calm and unity. Residents submitted a memorandum requesting street lighting, increased police presence, and the establishment of a permanent patrol outpost in the area. DC Bhagwati commented, “This unfortunate incident, on a day meant for peace and faith, appears to be the work of anti-social elements. We are working to resolve local issues immediately and will consult the government for long-term solutions.” Inspector General of Police Akhilesh Kumar Singh also visited Borphukhuri, assuring the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that strict action will be taken against those responsible. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the incident on social media, stating: “While our Constitution guarantees religious freedom, it also upholds law and order. Disturbing reports of illegal cattle slaughter and the recovery of cattle parts were received from multiple areas, including Hojai. We have made 16 arrests across Assam. Communal harmony is crucial—but lawlessness will not be tolerated.” As per the Sarma, five incidents of cattle part dumping were reported in areas like Kamrup (near Cotton University), Dhubri, Hojai, and Sribhumi. Five illegal slaughter sites were uncovered in Cachar and Karimganj districts. Police presence in Barphukhuri was increased, and discussions were ongoing regarding the establishment of a permanent patrol outpost in the area.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. The subcategory selected 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 other subcategory 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 constitutes a hate crime, as it involved the deliberate dumping of beef near a Hindu temple. In Hinduism, temples are sacred spaces of worship, and the deities are revered with deep respect. Acts of temple vandalism, deliberate idol desecration, and defilement, as demonstrated in this case, are regarded as deeply offensive and sacrilegious to Hindus. Such actions reflect a profound disregard for the Hindu faith and its practices, rooted in underlying animosity towards Hinduism. This incident exemplifies an intentional effort to insult religious sentiments, warranting its classification as a crime motivated by hatred towards Hindus and their faith. It cannot be regarded merely as a breach of law and order, but rather as a calculated attempt to dishonour Hindu religious customs, especially those related to temple purity and ritual observance. While the perpetrators remain unidentified, it is important to note that the crime occurred during Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, and even local Hindus have stated that such incidents happen every year during this festival. This suggests a recurring pattern of desecration of Hindu temples during the Muslim festival of Eid, highlighting ongoing religious animosity. While the Islamic practice of animal sacrifice during Eid-ul-Adha, known as Qurbani, is a significant religious observance, the repeated instances of dumping beef during Eid, specifically in or near Hindu temples, demonstrate that these cases are a result of religious animosity towards Hindus. These actions are committed to deliberately desecrate Hindu temples and provoke communal tensions. In Hinduism, the cow is revered as a sacred symbol of life, motherhood, and divinity. Temples, as consecrated spaces, are not merely places of worship but embodiments of spiritual sanctity, where even the thought of violence or impurity is considered sacrilegious. This act of dumping beef inside Hindu temples highlights that the perpetrators' behaviour reflects not only insensitivity but a conscious and targeted affront to deeply held Hindu religious sentiments, and therefore must be seen in the broader context of communal intimidation. Such acts fall under the ambit of religiously motivated hate crimes because they violate the dignity of Hindus by deliberately defiling their sacred temples. In Hinduism, the cow is also considered sacred and revered as a symbol of life and nurturing. Historically, cow slaughter was an act committed by non-Hindus to deliberately insult and intimidate the Hindu community. Cow slaughter was used as a tool to humiliate Hindus, desecrate their religious shrines, and forcefully convert them. This reflects a historical pattern of using cow slaughter as a means to impose superiority over Hindus and demean their faith, religious customs, and sacred shrines. Since this act stemmed from religious animosity towards Hinduism and resulted in the defilement and desecration of a sacred temple, it should be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime and included in the Hinduphobia Tracker within the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
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