In recent years, a disturbing pattern has emerged across several parts of India — a growing number of crimes, particularly targeting the Hindu community, have been linked to individuals with Islamist leanings or backgrounds. From incidents of molestation and assault to more sinister acts of aggression, what’s even more alarming is the recurring tactic used to dodge accountability: the convenient shield of “mental illness.” Time and again, after heinous acts are committed, the accused are suddenly declared “mentally unstable,” allowing them to escape strict punishment and even attract sympathy. This dangerous trend not only undermines justice but also raises serious concerns about selective appeasement and the erosion of law and order. How long will this excuse be used to cover up criminal intent – and at what cost to the safety and dignity of the Hindu majority?
Here is a report covering incidents between 2022 and 2025, highlighting at least 16 heinous and immoral crimes linked to individuals from Islamist backgrounds, where the accused have taken cover under the excuse of “mental illness” — raising serious questions about whether this legal loophole is being systematically exploited to shield such offenders from justice.
Molestation of Hindu Woman: Accused Abdul Shielded by ‘mental illness’ claim
On May 8, 2025, in Bokaro, Jharkhand, a man identified as Abdul, reportedly associated with Islamist leanings and working as a welder, allegedly attempted to molest and sexually assault a married Hindu woman who was bathing in a pond in Kadru Khutta village. As soon as the locals realised what was happening, they rushed to the spot, caught Abud after much effort, beat him up, and handed him over to the police. Later, Abdul reportedly died at Bokaro General Hospital.
In a shocking turn of events, instead of supporting the victim’s family, the police reportedly took members of her own household into custody for questioning. Meanwhile, Abdul’s uncle, Mohammad Kaleemuddin, filed an FIR, claiming that Abud was mentally ill – a common excuse used to soften public outrage and legal consequences.
What is even more disturbing is that now there are talks of giving the accused’s family a compensation package that includes Rs4 lakh in financial aid, a government house, and a government job for one of his relatives – benefits that many law-abiding citizens and victims themselves are often denied.
Vile act: Muslim man tears down Hindu deity, urinates on murti; mental instability claimed
The vile act of sacrilege committed by a Muslim youth, Chand Shaikh, against the revered Hindu deity Annapurna at the Nageshwar Mandir in Paud village in Pune district, Maharashtra on May 2, 2025, has ignited widespread outrage. This blatant desecration involved the tearing down and vandalisation of the sacred idol, followed by the ultimate insult of urination upon it.
The aftermath of this sacrilegious act has understandably led to heightened tensions within the community. Upon apprehending the perpetrator, Chand Shaikh, authorities were met with the absurd and predictable defense from his family, claiming mental instability. This excuse, often conveniently deployed in such situations, rings hollow in the face of such a deliberate and offensive act against Hindu religious symbols.
This incident is yet another stark reminder of the deep-seated animosity and disrespects some elements harbour towards the Hindu faith. The audacity of defiling a sacred space and murti in this manner is not merely an act of vandalism but a deliberate assault on the religious sentiments of Hindus everywhere.
Hindu deity desecrated, torched by Muslim youth; familiar ‘mental illness’ excuse surfaces
In Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, a shocking incident of religious desecration has come to light. A Muslim youth named Sheikh Indu callously targeted the revered deity Maa Sheetala, not only vandalising her murti but also setting it ablaze.
Images of the desecrated murtis and the damaged Mandir have understandably gone viral on social media, fueling widespread anger and condemnation among local Hindu residents. The community swiftly apprehended the accused, Sheikh Indu, holding him accountable for his reprehensible actions.
Predictably, the Baruipur police have already begun to parrot the familiar excuse, claiming that the accused, Sheikh Indu, is “mentally unstable.” This well-worn tactic to deflect responsibility for such blatant anti-Hindu acts is becoming increasingly tiresome and insulting to the sentiments of the Hindu community.
Muslim man defiles sacred tulasi plant with genital hair; police claim ‘mental illness’
In Guruvayoor, Kerala, a deplorable act of desecration has come to light, involving a Muslim individual named Abdul Hakeem. He stands accused of plucking hair from his private parts and placing it on a sacred Tulasi plant within the revered Guruvayoor Mandir premises.
The incident drew the swift condemnation of ‘Hindu Aikya Vedi,’ a prominent Hindu nationalist organisation in Kerala, which promptly filed a complaint, leading to Hakeem’s arrest. However, in a familiar and concerning pattern, the Thrissur City Police have been quick to assert that the accused is “mentally unsound” and has allegedly been undergoing treatment for the past 25 years.
This recurring narrative of “mental illness” whenever a Muslim individual is apprehended for acts of sacrilege against Hindu symbols raises serious questions. It undermines genuine concerns about religious intolerance and the targeted defilement of Hindu sacred spaces.
Muslim man spits paan on Mandir murtis
In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, a shocking incident of religious dishonour occurred when a man named Shamshaad brazenly spat paan (betel quid) on murtis inside a Mandir located at Sitapur’s main crossroads.
Sitapur police swiftly acted, arresting Shamshaad on October 20, 2024, and subsequently presenting him before the Sitapur Court. This vile act of spitting on revered deities has understandably ignited outrage and condemnation within the community.
Mandir pelted with bricks, stones; police claim ‘mentally unsound’
In Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, a disturbing incident unfolded at the Shri Ram Mandir on September 23, 2024. Sher Khan launched an attack on Arun Chaudhary, the Mandir pujari who was cleaning the premises, by pelting him with bricks and stones. Khan also threatened the Mahant (head priest), warning him not to open the temple.
Mathura police apprehended the attacker, Sher Khan. However, in a predictable turn, authorities have labelled him as “mentally unstable.”
Blatant disrespect: Man exposes himself, urinates in Mandir; police label him ‘mentally ill’
In an egregious act of desecration, Mohammed Moiuddin exposed himself and urinated within the sacred confines of a Mandir in Kalyani, under the Marhaura Nagar Police Station area in Bihar. He brazenly lowered his trousers in front of the revered murtis and then proceeded to urinate within the Mandir premises.
Bihar Police, in a move that has drawn significant public criticism, promptly labelled Moiuddin as “mentally unstable.” This recurring and convenient declaration by authorities in cases involving the desecration of Hindu religious sites by Muslim individuals continues to spark outrage and raises serious questions about genuine accountability and the protection of religious sentiments.
Muslim man urinates, acts obscenely at Mandir; police claim ‘mentally unsound’
In a shocking act of desecration, Saddam, a Muslim youth, was arrested by Dehradun Police on October 13, 2023, for allegedly urinating and engaging in obscene acts at the Kali Mandir in Harrawala, Dehradun.
However, in a move that has become regrettably familiar, Dehradun Police were quick to declare the accused “mentally unsound,” stating that he was undergoing treatment in Dehradun.
Mandir desecrated with urination, obscene acts; police label accused ‘mentally ill’
In a deeply offensive act that has sparked outrage in Murshidabad, West Bengal, Ara Sheikh, a Muslim youth, was arrested by police for publicly urinating near a Shivalinga in Kandar village, Salar Block. The deplorable incident was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, exposing the blatant disrespect shown towards Hindu religious symbols.
However, in a move that has become a concerning pattern, Murshidabad Police have declared the accused, Ara Sheikh, to be “mentally unsound,” stating he has been undergoing treatment since 2017.
Muslim man urinates on Mandirs; police declare him ‘mentally ill’
In a deeply offensive incident at Ramghat in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on December 1, 2023, Latif Khan, a Muslim individual and retired sanitation worker from the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, was accused of urinating on Mandirs.
The Mahakal police registered a case against Latif Khan under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code and arrested him. However, in a familiar and concerning turn of events, the police later declared him to be “mentally ill.
Mandir murtis vandalised with chisel and hammer; police claim ‘mentally unstable’
In a disturbing incident at an ancient Mandir located on GT Road in the Banadevi area of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a man identified as Ahmed allegedly broke into the Mandir and used a chisel and hammer to vandalise several murtis of deities.
A home guard on duty apprehended Ahmed, but the police released him, claiming he was “mentally unstable.”
Vandalism at Ranchi Mandir: Bajrang Bali murti damaged, accused deemed ‘mentally unsound’ by police
In Ranchi, the lock of a Mandir was broken, and the murti of Bajrang Bali was vandalised. Following protests by local residents, CCTV footage was reviewed, leading to the arrest of Sameer Ahmed. However, the SHO of Hindpiri released him, claiming he was “mentally ill.”
Muslim youth urinates on Shivalinga; police claim ‘mentally ill’
A highly disturbing video has gone viral on social media, showing Mohammed Shoaib, a Muslim youth, urinating on a Shivalinga at a nearly 200-year-old ancient Mahadev Mandir in Rasna village, located in the Saroorpur police station area of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police, the accused is “mentally unstable” and also reported to be a drug addict. This egregious act has ignited significant anger and widespread protests among local Hindus.
Naval base breach: Accused of spying on INS Vikrant, family claims mental instability
A man identified as Mujeeb Rahman was arrested after allegedly attempting to pose as a PMO official to extract classified information about INS Vikrant from the Kochi Naval Base, in Kerala. Following his detention, Rahman’s family has claimed he is “mentally unsound.” A medical evaluation is currently underway.
Plan to blow up Ram Mandir foiled; family claims ‘not mentally sound’
Bihar Police arrested a youth named Intekhab Alam on January 21 from Araria, Bihar for allegedly threatening to blow up the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This threat was made just one day before the highly anticipated Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, an event expected to draw thousands of devotees and a large number of VIP guests. Following his arrest, Alam’s family claimed that he was “not mentally sound.”
Man, attacks Gorakhnath Mandir, father claims ‘mental health not fine’
Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi attacked PAC jawans stationed at the main gate of the Gorakhnath Mandir at Araria, Bihar, with a sharp-edged weapon (sickle). Murtaza’s father, Munir Ahmed Abbasi, told the media that his son was “mentally unstable.”
It’s important to note that a special NIA court in Uttar Pradesh, in January 2024, convicted Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi for sedition, terrorism, and attempted murder, sentencing him to death. The court rejected the defense’s argument of mental illness.
These events have exposed a disturbing pattern where individuals from the Muslim community are repeatedly apprehended for damaging, destroying Hindu temples, urinating, spitting on and vandalising murtis of gods and goddesses. What is even more alarming is the subsequent and consistent response from law enforcement: these perpetrators are frequently declared “mentally unsound” or “mentally ill,” often leading to their release or lenient treatment.
This recurring excuse of mental instability in cases of blatant desecration of Hindu sacred spaces and symbols raises serious questions. It fuels the perception that these acts, which deeply wound the sentiments of the Hindu community, are being systematically downplayed and excused, rather than being treated with the gravity they deserve as acts of religious hatred or intolerance.
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