Connecting Global Threads of Faith
Newsletter
October Newsletter – 2
(October 15 – October 31)
In an era of unprecedented global connectivity, the struggles and resilience of Hindus facing violence and persecution often go unrecognized. This fortnightly report brings these overlooked narratives to light by providing an unbiased and comprehensive selection of news agencies’ reports offering an overview of incidents impacting the Hindu community worldwide, while also celebrating Hindu heritage. Through this initiative, we seek to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of Hindu rights and religious freedom globally.
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South-East Asia
Pakistan
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan has started reconstructing the Baoli Sahib temple to address the Hindu community's needs, prioritizing a boundary wall on the temple's four-kanal land. The project, supported by human rights advocates, aims to reinstate a local place of worship for over 1,453 Hindus in Narowal, where all temples have fallen into disrepair since Pakistan's formation.
India
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a Diwali 2024 campaign to clean and illuminate around 5,000 temples in Maharashtra and Goa, encouraging devotees to actively engage in temple management and worship by hoisting saffron flags. This initiative aims to strengthen community involvement in temple activities and promote youth participation in preserving Hindu religious spaces ahead of the festival of lights.
The Allahabad High Court denied bail to Shahrukh, accused of vandalizing a temple idol of Lord Shiva's family and attempting to kill the priest in Bareilly. The court cited the gravity of the crime, which took place during the holy month of Savan, and emphasized the need for a strict stance against acts that incite communal tension and offend religious sentiments.
Mild tension prevailed at the temple at Kummariguda in Secunderabad which was recently vandalised by a miscreant, when local residents and members of various religious groups, organised puja and other rituals on the road on Thursday. The police personnel who were deployed for security following the incident, stopped them saying they had no prior permission for doing so, that too blocking the lanes causing inconvenience to others.
Salman Salim Thakur, who allegedly vandalized the main idol at the Muthyalamma Temple in Secunderabad (Hyderabad in the Indian state of Telangana) was reportedly influenced by the radical preachings of fugitive Zakir Naik, according to police. Salman, a computer engineering graduate from Mumbai, had developed hatred towards idol worship after consuming extremist content online. He was previously involved in similar incidents in Vasai-Virar and Mumbai.
An uneasy calm prevails in Secunderabad after violent protests erupted over the alleged desecration of the Muthyalamma temple by Salman Salim Thakur, an engineering graduate from Maharashtra, who reportedly vandalized the temple's main idol. In response, heavy police deployment and barricades have been set up, while locals and devotees’ express frustration over restricted access and call for peace.
The Allahabad High Court's recent decision to uphold consolidation of suits in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case is a significant step toward a streamlined and unified pursuit of justice regarding the dispute.
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a petition challenging the practices of VIP and paid darshans in temples, citing potential discrimination against devotees. Represented by counsels Sarthak Ghonkrokta and Akash Vashishtha, Union government and several states are respondents in the case, scheduled for a hearing in the week starting December 9.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, Hindu communities faced violent attacks during Durga Puja, with temples and idols vandalized and Hindu homes targeted amid rising Islamist extremism. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported an increase in attacks following Prime Minister Hasina's resignation, with the theft from the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple intensifying calls for protection of minority rights and safety.
Nepal
The Bhaktapur community is restoring the 700-year-old Lakshmi Narasingha temple to its original two-tier design, damaged in the 1934 earthquake. This community-led effort emphasizes preserving ancient architectural techniques and fostering local involvement in heritage conservation, with completion expected by early 2025.
America
United States of America
Hindu and Buddhist temples in Minnesota, including the Hindu Society of Minnesota, were burglarized by a national theft ring, with losses exceeding $100,000. Two suspects have been arrested, but the community remains shaken, increasing security at their temples.
Trinidad and Tobago
Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago, celebrated on October 31, 2024, strengthens Indian cultural and Hindu spiritual heritage in the Caribbean nation, where it has been a public holiday since 1966. The festival calls for societal reflection and renewal, advocating for unity, hope, and cultural pride as a response to various social challenges and as a commitment to the community’s ancestral legacy.
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