Muslims attack temple after a heated argument over a minor dispute leads to communal tension
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India 
10 June, 2023
Case Summary
On June 11, 2023, a stone pelting incident took place in the Amalner area of Maharashtra's Jalgaon district after a heated argument broke out between two groups over a minor dispute. The skirmish turned violent and both the groups began to hurl abuses and pelt stones at each other. In the incident, a group of miscreants vandalised a temple and several shops in the area. As many as 4 Police personnel incurred severe injuries. Following the clash, a curfew was imposed in the area. Over 100 cases have been lodged and 31 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This particular case has been classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under two prime categories of the tracker because of the various distinct components that demonstrate the perpetrator's bias against the Hindu faith. The first prime category selected, as per case specifics, is 'Attack on Hindu religious symbols' and within that, 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 second prime category selected, as per case specifics, is 'Attack not resulting in death' and within that, the sub-category selected is 'Communal clashes'. Communal clash is a form of collective violence that involves clashes between groups belonging to different religious identities. For a communal clash between Hindus and non-Hindus to qualify as a religiously motivated hate crime, the trigger of the violence itself would have to be anti-Hindu in essence. For example, if there is a Hindu religious procession that comes under attack from a non-Hindu mob and after the initial attack, Hindus retaliate in self-defence, leading to a communal clash between the two religious communities. While at a later stage, both communities are involved in the clash/violence, the initial trigger of the violence was by the non-Hindu mob against the Hindus and therefore, it could safely be termed as an anti-Hindu violence. Further, the trigger would also have to be religiously motivated. In the cited example, the attack by the non-Hindu mob was against religious processions and therefore, can be concluded to be religiously motivated. In some cases, the trigger may be non-religious, however, it develops into religious violence against Hindus at a later stage. In such cases too, the foundational animosity towards Hindus becomes the motivating factor of the crime and therefore, it would be classified as a religiously motivated hate crime against Hindus under this category. In this case, despite understanding that Hindu temples are centres of worship and sanctity, the perpetrator attacked the premises. This targeted violence underscores the perpetrators' animosity toward the Hindu community and their religion, making this case a religiously motivated hate crime, which is why it has been added to the tracker.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
