Lord Hanuman’s idol vandalised, temple desecrated
Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, India 
3 August, 2023
Case Summary
On August 8, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Asif Khan and Aamir Khan for vandalizing the idol of Lord Hanuman in Talbehat, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. An FIR was filed against Asif, Amir, and Nasir Khan, who fled the scene after damaging the temple. The idol belonged to a temple in Maharaja Mardan Singh’s fort and was vandalized on August 4. Rahul Agariya filed an FIR against unidentified persons, prompting an investigation. Police apprehended Asif and Aamir Khan at gate number 1 of the fort after an interrogation and subsequently arrested them. The accused confessed to the crime, claiming that they were intoxicated when they committed the act.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
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, the perpetrators vandalised the temple and desecrated the idols placed in the temple. Such attacks on the premises of a temple that aim to cause harm to the temple or its devotees demonstrate the inherent animosity towards Hindus, Hinduism and the representations of faith that radical Muslims harbour. In this case, the perpetrators claimed that they were intoxicated when they desecrated the idols and the temple. The state of intoxication lowered their inhibitions so they could act out their hostility towards the Hindu faith and is not a defence for the crime commited. For this reason, this case qualifies for inclusion in the hate tracker database.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
