Muslim man desecrates holy Hindu scripture Ramchritramanas, throws Shiva idol placed in the temple
Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
7 June, 2023
Case Summary
The Uttar Pradesh police arrested a Muslim man identified as Nafees involved in the desecration of the holy Hindu scripture Ramcharitmanas placed in a temple in the state's Sitapur district on June 11, 2023. The incident occurred on June 8, 2023. The police said that the accused not only desecrated the holy Hindu scripture but also tore the clothes and threw the Shiva idol placed in the sanctum sanatorium of the temple. Police registered an FIR against Nafees under section 295-A of IPC and arrested the accused.
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. This case has further also been added to the category 'attack on 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. 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.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
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