Shivalinga struck with slippers by woman during morning puja in Ludhiana, hurting Hindu sentiments
Ludhiana, Punjab, India 
20 June, 2025
Case Summary
In the Salem Tabri area of Ludhiana, Punjab, a woman entered a temple and struck the sacred Shivalinga with her slippers. The incident took place in the lane near Ramesh Sweets shop. A woman from the locality, identified as Sonia, suddenly entered the temple while people were engaged in morning prayers, and morning puja was ongoing. Initially, onlookers assumed she might be fleeing from danger and did not stop her. However, upon entering the temple, she kept her footwear on and began striking the sacred Shivalinga with her slippers. She then proceeded to hit other idols of Hindu deities in the temple in the same manner, deeply hurting the religious sentiments of the devotees. Devotees present at the temple immediately restrained the woman. As news of the desecration spread, local residents quickly gathered at the spot. Officers from the Salem Tabri police station arrived and took the woman into custody. A formal complaint was filed by Rajesh Kumar alias Pali Sahajpal, based on which the police registered a case against the accused Sonia. The incident caused unrest in the area, with locals demanding strict action for the insult to their religious beliefs. Police assured that the matter is being taken seriously and that further action will follow based on the ongoing investigation.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, 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. In this case, a woman entered a Hindu temple during morning prayers and deliberately struck the Shivalinga and other murtis with her slippers. In Hinduism, icons such as the Shivalinga and deity Murtis are not symbolic in a superficial sense—they are the embodiment of divinity, worshipped with deep reverence and daily rituals. Attacking the Shivalinga is therefore not just an insult to a religious object—it is a direct affront to the sacred centre of devotion for millions of Hindus. The emotional, ritualistic, and theological importance of the Shivalinga makes its desecration an act of grave spiritual and cultural violence. This incident reflects religious animosity and an intent to hurt the collective faith and devotion of Hindu worshippers. When such desecration is done publicly, during an ongoing puja, it becomes a calculated act meant to provoke and wound religious sentiments, thereby qualifying as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
female
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