Muslim youth desecrates Hindu pilgrimage site, paints Islamic symbols
Kolar, Karnataka, India 
20 September, 2023
Case Summary
In the Kolar district of Karnataka, a parson named Anwar has been arrested for drawing Islamic symbols like the crescent moon and star along with the number 786 which is considered holy in Islam on a Hindu pilgrimage site atop Antara Gange Hills. The accused has been identified as Anwar alias Pyarejaan, who painted the boulders atop a hill in green colour and drew Islamic symbols at a Hindu pilgrimage site. The accused is a resident of Paparajnahalli Kolar Rural police station area. Accused Anwar was arrested after the Forest Department lodged a complaint in the matter. The incident sparked outrage. The authorities whitewashed the boulders and Islamic symbols drawn by the accused Anwar. The police stated that the issue is being investigated and that the accused is being questioned about his motive behind drawing Islamic symbols at a Hindu religious site. Notably, Antara Gange Hills is an important pilgrimage destination about 70 km from Bengaluru. The location is renowned for the Sri Kashi Vishweshwara temple, commonly known as Kashi of the South. This temple is situated within a cave and is a significant sacred site for Hindus.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
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. In this case, despite understanding that Hindu temples are centres of worship and sanctity, the perpetrator desecrated the premises by drawing Islamic symbols like the crescent moon and star along with the number 786 which is considered holy in Islam on the Hindu pilgrimage site. This sheds light on how radical Muslims openly endorse the concept of Islamic supremacy and harbour animosity toward Hindus and since disrespect for the Hindu religion is the primary purpose behind this incident, this instance has been added to the tracker under the following category. Note: This case has also been added to the sub-category 'attack on Hindu Temples'. While this location is not a temple, it is a pilgrimage site which has the religious significance of a Temple.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
