Sacred peepal tree of Hindus desecrated, land encroached
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India 
26 February, 2025
Case Summary
In Megi Nagla village, Faridpur, Bareilly, a sacred site of Hindus with a peepal tree dedicated to Brahmdev Baba was encroached by three Muslims named Ahmad Ali Shah, Bahadur Shah, and Shanu Shah. The perpetrators desecrated the worship area with an intent to hurt religious sentiments. They blocked the main gate and tied a buffalo and many goats. They dumped wood and garbage on the land. The police confirmed the incident and informed that an investigation into the matter had been launched. The peepal tree is sacred in Hinduism and is associated with deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. It is also considered a symbol of immortality and enlightenment. On Vat Purnima, married women worship the Peepal tree to seek blessings for their husband's health and long life. Women fast and pray to the tree. So this encroachment on the land of the peepal tree is a symbol of attack on Hindu beliefs.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the primary category 'Attack on Hindu religious representations' under two distinct sub-categories. The first sub-category is 'Desecration of Hindu religious symbols'. 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 secondary category this case is being added to is 'Encroachment or illicit takeover of temple land/land near 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. Not only the Temple but the Temple premises in its entirety are considered sacred by Hindus. In several cases, the premises of the Temple and/or religious centre are illicitly taken over by institutions belonging to other faiths – like the Waqf board or the Church. Other times, the temple property, land or the property of religious centres are illicitly encroached by non-Hindu groups. Any illicit take over or encroachment is a crime an initio, however, when non-Hindu groups illicitly take over or encroach the sacred land of Hindus, it is an affront to the Hindu community and is therefore classified as a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. In this case, the Muslim perpetrators dumped garbage, illicitly took over the land and blocked the way for Hindus to perform their rituals, given that the tree is considered sacred and an important religious symbols for Hindus. Such acts are driven by religious hostility and restrict Hindus from expressing their Hindu identity and practicing their faith. For that reason, this case has been added to the Hinduphobia Tracker.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
