Hindu procession on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti attacked by Muslims in Andhra Pradesh
Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India 
18 February, 2025
Case Summary
In Dachepalli, Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh, a Hindu procession commemorating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti was attacked by members of the Muslim community. According to reports, as the rally was underway, a group of Muslim individuals obstructed the procession, leading to an argument. The situation escalated, prompting police intervention. The attack was severe, leaving many Hindus injured, including women and children. Multiple participants sustained wounds due to the violence.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of- Attack not resulting in death. Under this, the first sub-category selected is- Attacked against Hindu devotees. Hindu devotees are a few of the easiest targets of religiously motivated hate crimes because during the festival/procession/puja etc, for non-Hindus it is easy to profile their victims on the basis of religion. Hindu devotees come under attack on several occasions by individual non-Hindus or mobs of non-Hindus owing to their animosity against Hinduism, its symbols and tradition/practices. There are several instances of Hindu devotees being attacked while they worship in temples or temporary religious structures, during religious processions, doing bhajan/kirtan/puja in their own homes, in the residential society etc. These attacks are perpetrated by non-Hindus primarily because of their animosity towards Hindus and their faith. In some cases, the trigger for the violence may be non-religious, however, there are two elements that make these hate crimes. First, the Hindus who come under attack are attacked violently while indulging in religious activity. Whether they are in a place of worship or not is immaterial to the crime. When individuals are attacked while indulging in religious practices, the attack in itself is a hindrance to their freedom to practice religion and therefore constitutes a hate crime. Secondly, religious supremacist doctrines and ideologies deem religious practices of Hindus to be offensive ab initio since they are considered “sinful” by these ideologies, worthy to be annihilated by force or coercion. Driven by these religious supremacist ideologies and doctrines, the attacks against Hindu devotees stem from intrinsic animosity towards Hinduism. In some cases, the trigger for the violence may be non-religious, however, it develops into a religiously motivated crime during the course of the violence. Since these attacks stem from animosity towards Hindus and Hinduism, they are considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. The second sub-category relevant here is- Attack on religious procession. The outward celebration and display of religious symbols in an intrinsic part of Hinduism. Religious processions on various festivals are age-old traditions and a way to manifest faith and form a part of the religious practices of Hindus. On several occasions, such religious processions come under attack by non-Hindu mobs, in a manifestation of their animosity towards Hinduism and their practices. The reasons cited for such violent attacks are many and range from crossing a non-Hindu resident-dominated area to playing loud music, crossing from an area where there is a religious structure of another faith etc. The violent attacks are triggered by the outward display of religiosity by Hindus. The attacks are mainly a manifestation of religious supremacist doctrine which believes that idolatry, essentially the Hindu faith, is one that deserves to be annihilated since the very tenets of Hinduism, its practices and traditions are considered a sin in those doctrines. Since these attacks emanate from intrinsic and doctrinal animosity towards Hindus and Hinduism, it is considered a religiously motivated hate crime under this category. Shivaji Maharaj is revered as a protector of Hindu culture and religion, having established a Hindu kingdom to revive and safeguard Hindu traditions, temples, and customs during the oppressive Mughal rule. His legacy holds deep religious significance for Hindus, making his birth anniversary an occasion of devotion and pride. An attack on a religious procession honoring him is not merely an act of violence but a targeted assault on Hindu identity and faith. Such an unprovoked attack on Hindus for simply engaging in their religious activity stems from the deep-seated hatred harboured by the Muslim perpetrators toward Hinduism. These acts of violence are driven by intolerance and a deliberate attempt to intimidate or harm individuals based on their religious identity, making them clear cases of religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
