Hindu temple land targeted for encroachment and illegal construction in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India 
3 January, 2026
Case Summary
In Belwa Mishra village of Sant Kabir Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, sacred land belonging to a Hindu temple was encroached upon for illegal construction, triggering concern among local Hindu residents. According to reports, the land belonging to the Shiva Temple and the Lakshmi Puja Committee was targeted for encroachment and illegal construction. The disputed land was situated to the north of the temple and was recognised by villagers as temple and committee property under their administrative control. Hindu villagers reported that on 4 January 2026, the perpetrators forcibly dug the foundation and initiated construction on the temple land. Villagers, including Dharmendra, Mandeep, Rajkumar, Manoj and others, reported the matter by calling the emergency police helpline 112. Police personnel visited the location and inspected the situation, but failed to halt the construction activity. Vishal’s son, Shivmurti, filed a complaint with the Sub-District Magistrate stating that despite the land being recorded as temple property under their control, attempts were made to occupy it through force. A petition was also submitted at the local police station, but no effective or sustained action was taken. While a few bricks were removed from the site under the pretext of stopping the construction, the remaining building materials were left in place, enabling construction to resume at any moment. The continued presence of construction material and administrative inaction generated tension and unrest within the village. The Hindu villagers had approached the Sub-District Magistrate, demanding immediate intervention to stop the ongoing illegal construction on the land belonging to the Shiva Temple and the Lakshmi Puja Committee.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been documented under the primary category: Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under which, the secondary category selected is: Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near the temple. 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. Not only the Temple but the Temple premises in its entirety are considered sacred by Hindus. In several cases, the premises of the Temple and/or religious centre are illicitly taken over by institutions belonging to other faiths – like the Waqf board or the Church. Other times, the temple property, land or the property of religious centres are illicitly encroached by non-Hindu groups. Any illicit take over or encroachment is a crime an initio, however, when non-Hindu groups illicitly take over or encroach the sacred land of Hindus, it is an affront to the Hindu community and is therefore classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. This case has been added to the tracker because land belonging to the Shiva temple was encroached upon and targeted for illegal construction, reflecting a direct violation of the sanctity of the Hindu temple. The Shiva Temple and Lakshmi Puja Committee land in Belwa Mishra village was forcibly occupied despite being recognised as temple property under administrative control. The temple land or areas around the sacred space are not simply a piece of property; they hold profound religious significance for the Hindu community. For Hindus, both the temple and its land are regarded as the abode of the deity. Thus, any form of encroachment or seizure of temple land is an attack on the religious rights and sentiments of Hindus, disrupting their ability to worship and to maintain their sacred spaces. Any unauthorised occupation or illegal construction in this space, especially one that halts worship and religious observance, is a violation of that sanctity. Such an act, regardless of the identity of the offenders, qualifies as a hate crime due to its religious impact and the targeting of a sacred Hindu site. Therefore, this case has been added to the tracker. Disclaimer: Villagers reported that the perpetrators began the illegal construction on 4 January 2026. While media coverage of the incident emerged on 10 January 2026, the Hinduphobia Tracker records the incident based on when the victim’s ordeal began or when the incident occurred, not when it was reported. Thus, the date of the incident has been recorded as 4 January 2026.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
