Hindu temple vandalised, sacred pindis representing goddess Durga desecrated by unknown miscreants
Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India 
15 June, 2025
Case Summary
In Bagahi village, Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Durga was vandalised and the sacred pindis, which are equivalent to Hindu idols, were desecrated by unknown miscreants. As per media reports, the incident came to light the following morning when a woman from the village arrived at the temple to perform worship and discovered the damage. She informed the village head, who, along with other villagers, immediately went to the site. The incident caused widespread anger within the local community, as the attackers had desecrated the sacred pindis representing goddess Durga. The villagers stated that the attackers had deliberately sought to challenge and hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The police were informed, and they arrived at the scene. CO Rakesh Pratap Singh, accompanied by the local police, inspected the site. Patherwa police station in-charge, Hare Ram Singh Yadav, confirmed that a case had been registered against unknown persons based on complaints from the village head and other residents. Following this, the police launched an investigation and assured the Hindu community that those responsible for the attack would be apprehended.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. The sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. 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. The other sub-category relevant in this case 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. In this case, the vandalism of the Durga temple in Bagahi village, Kushinagar, stands as a clear example of a hate crime against Hindus, striking at the heart of the community’s religious identity and collective dignity. Hate crimes are not simply acts of property damage or random instances of violence; they are targeted attacks motivated by religious hostility towards adherents of non-Abrahamic faiths, in this case, Hindus. Such actions are committed to cause psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm to the Hindu community. Hindu Temples hold a unique place in the Hindu society, serving not only as places of worship but also as centres of cultural heritage and community gathering. For Hindus, temples are not mere physical structures; they are sanctified spaces believed to embody the divine presence of Hindu deities. Acts of violence against such spaces are not isolated incidents of destruction but reflect underlying hostility towards Hindu beliefs and identity. Furthermore, the deliberate desecration of the sacred pindis, objects that are revered as manifestations of the divine goddess Durga, represents a direct assault on the spiritual core of Hindu beliefs. For Hindus, the pindi is not merely a symbol; it is imbued with deep religious significance, and its desecration is experienced as a profound violation. Such acts are designed to instil fear and insecurity, sending a message that the Hindu community’s faith and sacred spaces are not respected or safe. The psychological impact of such attacks is immense. Devotees who visit temples seek solace, peace, and a sense of connection with the divine. When these sacred temples are targeted and desecrated, it shatters the sense of security and belonging that the Hindu community derives from its religious institutions. The pain caused by the desecration of the pindi is not limited to the physical damage; it is a wound to the collective psyche of the Hindu community. The outrage expressed by the villagers in Bagahi is a testament to the deep hurt caused by this act. Their anger is not simply about the destruction of bricks, but about the attack on their faith, their gods, and their way of life. Such attacks leave Hindu devotees feeling isolated, vulnerable, and marginalised. These incidents are not isolated acts of violence; they are rather premeditated attacks launched at the Hindu community and its sacred shrines. In summary, the attack on the Durga temple and the desecration of the sacred pindis in Bagahi village is a hate crime against Hindus. It is an assault on a place of worship, a violation of sacred symbols, and a deliberate attempt to inflict emotional and spiritual harm on the Hindu community. Such actions often stem from entrenched animosity and an intent to insult the faith. In this case, although the miscreants were unknown, the action stemmed from hatred against the Hindu community and Hinduism. Since this case fits the parameters of a religiously motivated crime, therefore, it's being categorised under the hate crime database.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
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