Kerala “Peaceful” Faces Guruvayur Municipality Closure Notice 

Guruvayur Municipality issued a notice to permanently close the National Paradise Restaurant owned by “peaceful ” Abdul Hakeem. A viral CCTV footage showed Hakeem allegedly desecrating a sacred Tulsi altar near the Guruvayur Temple, a site of immense religious significance for Hindus.

Victory for justice! 👏

Guruvayur Municipality has issued a notice to permanently shut down Abdul Hakeem’s ‘National Paradise Hotel’ after CCTV footage revealed his vile act of plucking hair from his private parts and placing it on a sacred Tulsi altar.

Such disrespect… pic.twitter.com/XvbxINU5Rx

— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) January 18, 2025

In the video, Hakeem can allegedly be seen plucking pubic hair and throwing it onto the Tulsi plant, which is revered as an avatar of Goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism. Thus, this act was deeply offensive to Hindu sentiments. Consequently, it sparked widespread anger and condemnation. The Hindu Aikya Vedi filed a formal complaint against Hakeem, leading to his arrest.

Guruvayur Municipality to revoke Restaurant of Abdul Hakeem in Temple town

Although police tried to whitewash his desecration of sacred Tulsi as act of an mentally unstable man; further investigations confirmed that his actions were communal in nature pic.twitter.com/9xWRs73whN

— HKupdate (@HKupdate) January 21, 2025

Hindu organizations like the VHP and local devotees organized a purification ritual to restore the sanctity of the Tulsi altar. This incident is not just a matter of disrespect; it represents a targeted attack on the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The blatant nature of the act left many questioning the motives and mindset of the accused.

Sanctity Restored, Faith Reignited! 🚩

After the vile desecration of the sacred Tulsi altar in a Hindu establishment near the revered Guruvayur Temple by Abdul Hakeem, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) took a decisive step to restore its sanctity.

A powerful Tulsi Puja was… pic.twitter.com/yqvWSHBjYy

— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) January 16, 2025

A “Peaceful” History of Alleged Misconduct

If he hadn't been caught on CCTV, would we ever have known the depths of his sick mentality? How long has he been getting away with such indecent acts, and what else has he been doing to disrespect our faith and beliefs? This man, Abdul Hakeem, has now been arrested after footage… pic.twitter.com/dkyJs98OEQ

— J.Sakthe krishnaan (@SaktheK) January 15, 2025

This is not the first time Abdul Hakeem or his establishment has been embroiled in controversy. In 2017, health authorities raided the National Paradise Restaurant and seized stale, spoiled food. Shockingly, this was the third such raid on the restaurant.

Allegations of political intervention reportedly suppressed earlier complaints, allowing the establishment to continue operating despite the repeated violations.

Reportedly, “peaceful” Hakeem also faces accusations of pelting stones at buses carrying Ayyappa devotees. Additionally, it was alleged he installed hidden cameras in the restrooms of his restaurant. These prior incidents paint a troubling picture of repeated misconduct and deliberate misdemeanors. Yet, “Peaceful” Hakeem managed to evade serious consequences.

Some analysts suggest possible political interference helped him continue despite his misdeed.

The Guruvayur Municipality’s decision to shut down Abdul Hakeem’s restaurant is hailed as a long-overdue step toward justice. However, many are questioning why it took public outrage and a deeply egregious incident to finally hold “Peaceful” Hakeem accountable.

Guruvayur Incident Accused and “Mental Illness” Defense

The "Mental Illness" Trope | A Thread 🧵

A Muslim man, Abdul Hakeem, was seen desecrating the Holy Tulsi Plant by plucking out his pubic hair and placing it on the plant on January 15, 2025. After his arrest, Kerala police claimed he had been suffering from mental illness for 25… pic.twitter.com/YnvXhNDhx9

— Hinduphobia Tracker (@hinduphobia_tr) January 17, 2025

In response to the public outrage at the Tulsi desecration incident, the Thrissur City Police issued a formal Facebook statement. In this, they claim that “Peaceful” Hakeem has suffered from a mental illness for the past 25 years. Therefore, he is undergoing treatment and his action should not be held under moral scrutiny. The Police warned against sharing the viral video. Why? They state it could incite communal unrest and would result in strict legal action against those who posted or shared it.

This is not the first time the “mental illness” defense was used by “peacefuls”!

It is a standard excuse used to downplay crimes involving religious sentiments, especially those targeting the Hindu community. Critics argue that this narrative conveniently shifts the focus away from the crime and serves to protect the accused.

Time and again, incidents such as the attack on the Gorakhnath Temple or the vandalism of idols in Telangana have seen the accused being labeled as “mentally unstable” by authorities. The “peaceful” intolerance is hidden under the fake claims of illness by certain sections of the media. This recurring pattern raises serious questions for Bharat to find answers to!

Stifling of Free Speech and Guruvayur Incident

The Kerala police’s response to the Guruvayur incident has drawn sharp criticism for its apparent double standards. Authorities were quick to issue warnings about sharing the video to maintain “communal harmony.” ” However, they also stand accused of suppressing free speech that helps the accused “peaceful” face society’s outrage at his actions.

By threatening legal action against those sharing the video, the authorities effectively silenced discussions about the incident.

This has led to growing frustration among Hindus, who feel that their grievances are being dismissed in the name of protecting communal peace. The pattern of selective enforcement is troubling. In many cases, crimes against Hindus are downplayed, while similar actions against other communities would likely result in immediate and severe repercussions. This raises the question: Is free speech only allowed when it aligns with the political narrative of those in power?

A Growing Trend of Targeted Attacks on Hindu Sentiments

The arrogance and hatred of New Paradise Hotel's owner has finally met its end, sealed by Guruvayur Municipality's notice.

Since that fateful day, the hotel remains shut, a testament to how the unity of Hindus brings results.
Hare Krishna! pic.twitter.com/qTp6cUMQrh

— Pratheesh Viswanath (@pratheesh_Hind) January 18, 2025

The Guruvayur incident is part of a larger and deeply concerning trend. Across India, there have been numerous cases of attacks on Hindu temples and religious symbols, often carried out by individuals who are later labeled as “mentally unstable.”

From the vandalism of Hindu idols during Navratri in Hyderabad to the desecration of the Bhagwan Hanuman Temple in Jharkhand, these incidents follow a disturbingly similar pattern.

The accused often target Hindu places of worship. However, their actions are either whitewashed as “provoked” or justified under the guise of mental illness. What’s even more disturbing is that such incidents rarely provoke the same level of outrage or legal action when the roles are reversed. This selective approach not only undermines the principle of justice but also fosters a sense of alienation and injustice among the Hindu community.

Thus, the Guruvayur incident highlights the need for a fair and unbiased application of the law. Crimes against any community must be treated with the same seriousness, irrespective of the religious or political affiliations of the accused. Moreover, the use of the “mental illness” narrative as a shield must be critically examined. Similarly, the suppression of free speech in the name of communal harmony only serves to deepen mistrust and resentment.

Hindus must stand united in demanding accountability and justice.

Only through collective action can such acts of disrespect and targeted attacks be prevented in the future. Therefore, the Guruvayur Municipality’s decisive action is a step in the right direction. However, it is merely the beginning of a much-needed reckoning.