Construction of a welcome gate with sculpture of Maa Durga opposed by Muslims in West Bengal
Dinhata, West Bengal, India 
5 February, 2025
Case Summary
According to a viral video posted on the X platform by an X handle named 'HinduVoice_in', in Dinhata, West Bengal, a welcome gate was being constructed by the government. This gate featured a sculpture of Maa Durga on the top of the gate. This offended Muslims who claimed this was not a secular move, and it hurt their sentiments. Muslims, through the help of the District Magistrate of Coochbehar, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop the construction of the gate. A Muslim in the video is seen threatening the authorities by giving them an 'ultimatum.'
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Restriction/ban on Hindu practices. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Restriction on expression of Hindu identity. An example of the state-affected prejudicial and targeted orders against the Hindu community would be a government denying the right of a Hindu or a group of Hindus to hold a religious procession owing to the animosity of non-Hindu groups. Denial of the religious right of the Hindus to assuage the non-Hindu group which harbours animosity to a point where it could lead to violence against Hindus is not only a failure of law and order but is a prejudicial order against Hindus, denying them their fundamental rights to express their religious identity. An example of a hate crime against Hindus by a non-Hindu would be a non-Hindu institution forcing its Hindu employees to abandon religious symbols that a Hindu would wear as an expression of faith owing to inherent prejudice against the faith professed by the victim or a non-Hindu group of people restricting a Hindu group from constructing a place of worship simply because the demography of the area in which the temple is being built is dominated by non-Hindus. Such actions are driven by religious animosity and/or prejudice against Hindus and their faith and would therefore be categorized as a hate crime. This case highlights an attempt to suppress Hindu religious identity in public spaces under the pretext of secularism. The opposition to the Maa Durga sculpture on a government-constructed welcome gate shows a deliberate effort to erase Hindu symbolism, even though it holds deep cultural and religious significance in the region. The involvement of the District Magistrate and the appeal to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, following pressure from Muslim groups, demonstrates institutional bias against Hindu representation. The issuance of an 'ultimatum' further reinforces how Hindu religious expression is being openly challenged and restricted. Such actions contribute to a growing pattern where Hindu practices and symbols face opposition, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and marginalisation for Hindus. Consequently, this case has been added to the tracker.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
