Ancient Shiva temple vandalised, Shivling broken by unknown miscreants in Uttar Pradesh
Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, India 
12 June, 2025
Case Summary
In Bhadwan village of Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, an ancient Shiva Temple was vandalised, and the sacred Shivling installed within the premises was destroyed by some unknown miscreants. When the villagers, on the morning of June 14, 2025, came to the temple for their daily worship, they found the temple in disarray. The Shiva temple was vandalised and was in a state of desecration. Furthermore, the shivling installed in the temple was also deliberately damaged and broken. A large number of villagers quickly gathered at the site, expressing anger over the act and demanding swift justice and the immediate arrest of those responsible. As of the date of writing this report, a case was registered by the police, and the investigation was ongoing. In response to the heightened tensions, additional police forces were also deployed in the village to prevent any escalation or disturbance.
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: - 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. The other sub-category relevant here is: - Desecration of Hindu religious symbols. 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. This case has been added to the tracker because a Shiva temple was vandalised, with the Shivling placed inside the temple's sanctum sanctorum damaged. In Hinduism, a Hindu temple is very sacred and is regarded as the abode of the deity. The temple and its presiding deity are highly revered and sacred, as it is believed that it is infused with divine energy, making it an essential part of the faith. Any act of aggression against a temple or its idols is not merely an act of vandalism but an attack on the religious identity of Hindus, rooted in animosity towards Hinduism. Thus, such attacks not only cause physical destruction of the religious site but also inflict profound wounds on the spiritual and cultural fabric of the Hindu community, as temples symbolise their faith and collective identity. Similarly, for Hindus, the religious symbols like idols, flags and symbols as sacred, and any attempt to damage them is a direct indication of religious animosity towards Hinduism and Hindus at large. The fact that the miscreants came with the intent to desecrate the temple and inflict maximum damage to it, including breaking the idol, makes this a religiously motivated hate crime. The miscreants physically desecrated the idol, which signifies a blatant insult to Hindu beliefs and religious sanctity. The perpetrators involved were fully aware that Hindu temples are sacred centres of worship for Hindus; despite this, they deliberately attacked the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The purpose behind this was obviously to intimidate, harass, and provoke Hindus. It is also important to mention here that, though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed from hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred idols in the Hindu temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. Such attacks underscore religious animosity, warranting their inclusion in the Hinduphobia Tracker under the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
