Terrorism

While incidents explicitly carried out in the name of Hinduism are relatively rare, there have been instances where individuals or groups associated with extremist Hindu nationalist ideologies have been implicated in acts of violence. Here are some notable examples:

1. 2006 Nanded Explosion: On April 6, 2006, a blast occurred in the house of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist in Nanded, Maharashtra. The explosion killed two individuals who were allegedly assembling bombs intended for attacks on Muslim communities. Investigations suggested that the perpetrators were linked to Hindu extremist groups and were involved in previous attacks on mosques.
2. 2008 Modasa Blast: On September 29, 2008, a bomb exploded in Modasa, Gujarat, killing one person and injuring several others. The attack occurred near a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Investigations indicated the involvement of individuals associated with Hindu extremist organizations.
3. 2008 Kanpur Blast: On August 24, 2008, a blast in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, killed two individuals allegedly linked to Hindu extremist groups. The explosion occurred while they were reportedly assembling bombs, suggesting plans for future attacks targeting Muslim communities.
4. 2007 Samjhauta Express Bombings: On February 18, 2007, bombs exploded on the Samjhauta Express train, which runs between India and Pakistan, resulting in 68 deaths, many of whom were Pakistani civilians. Investigations led to the arrest of individuals linked to Hindu nationalist groups.
5. 2008 Malegaon Blasts: On September 29, 2008, two bombs exploded in Malegaon, Maharashtra, killing seven people. The investigation implicated members associated with Hindu nationalist organizations.
6. 2007 Ajmer Dargah Blast: On October 11, 2007, a bomb detonated at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan, a revered Sufi shrine, killing three people. The attack was linked to individuals with Hindu nationalist affiliations.
7. 2008 Kandhamal Violence: Following the assassination of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008, widespread violence erupted in the Kandhamal district of Odisha. Hindu mobs, allegedly incited by extremist groups, attacked Christian communities, resulting in numerous deaths, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands. The violence was led by the Bajrang Dal, VHP, and the RSS.
8. Cow Vigilantism: In recent years, there has been a surge in violence by self-proclaimed “cow vigilantes,” who target individuals, predominantly Muslims and Dalits, suspected of cow slaughter or beef consumption. These vigilante groups, often linked to extremist Hindu nationalist organizations, have been responsible for numerous assaults and lynchings across India. For instance, in August 2024, a Muslim migrant worker named Sabir Malik was beaten to death by a mob of Hindu men in Haryana, suspected of consuming beef.

Terrorist acts committed in the name of Christianity, while less prevalent than those associated with other ideologies, have occurred throughout history and into the modern era. Here are several notable examples:

1. Ku Klux Klan (KKK): Founded in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the KKK is a white supremacist organization that has historically used Christian symbolism to justify acts of terror, including lynchings, arson, and intimidation, primarily against African Americans, as well as Jews, Catholics, and other minorities. The Klan’s cross-burning rituals are steeped in Christian imagery, which they claim underscores their Protestant beliefs.
2. Anti-Abortion Violence: Certain extremist individuals and groups have committed violent acts against abortion providers, citing Christian beliefs as justification. Notable incidents include:
   • Murder of Dr. George Tiller (2009): Dr. Tiller, a physician who provided abortion services, was shot and killed in his church in Wichita, Kansas, by Scott Roeder, an anti-abortion extremist who believed he was acting on God’s will.
   • Centennial Olympic Park Bombing (1996): Eric Robert Rudolph carried out a bombing during the Atlanta Olympics, as well as attacks on abortion clinics and a lesbian nightclub, motivated by his opposition to abortion and homosexuality, which he viewed as contrary to Christian teachings.
3. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA): Operating in Uganda and neighboring countries, the LRA, led by Joseph Kony, claims to establish a theocratic state based on the Ten Commandments. The group is notorious for mass abductions, mutilations, and killings, often targeting civilians.
4. 2016 Normandy Church Attack: On July 26, 2016, two attackers entered the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy, France, during Mass. They took hostages and murdered Father Jacques Hamel by slitting his throat. The attackers claimed allegiance to the Islamic State, highlighting the complex interplay of religious motivations in acts of terror.
5. 2014 Overland Park Jewish Community Center Shooting: Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., a former Ku Klux Klan leader, opened fire at a Jewish community center and a retirement home in Overland Park, Kansas, killing three people. Miller, who espoused white supremacist and anti-Semitic beliefs, cited his interpretation of Christian identity theology as motivation for the attack.

These incidents illustrate that extremist interpretations of Christian beliefs have been used to justify acts of terror. It’s essential to recognize that such actions are widely condemned by mainstream Christian organizations and do not reflect the beliefs of the majority of Christians. Understanding the diverse motivations behind these acts is crucial for developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.

Terrorist attacks explicitly carried out in the name of secularism are exceedingly rare. Secularism, as a principle, advocates for the separation of religion from governmental institutions and promotes religious neutrality. While there have been instances where individuals or groups have targeted religious figures or institutions, these acts are typically driven by anti-religious sentiments, political ideologies, or other motivations, rather than a direct promotion of secularism.

For example, the 2011 Norway attacks perpetrated by Anders Behring Breivik resulted in the deaths of 77 individuals. Breivik’s motivations were complex, encompassing anti-Islamic and anti-immigration sentiments, as well as opposition to multiculturalism. While he identified as a cultural Christian, his manifesto expressed disdain for both religious and secular authorities, making it challenging to categorize his actions as being in the name of secularism.

wikipedia/en/Dylann_Roof

wikipedia/en/Christchurch_mosque_shootings

1. 2013 Bangladesh Blogger Killings: In 2013, several secular and atheist bloggers in Bangladesh were targeted and killed by Islamist extremists. Ahmed Rajib Haider, known by his pen name Thaba Baba, was one such blogger who was murdered for his writings critical of religious fundamentalism. These attacks were part of a broader campaign against secular voices in the country.

2. Norwegian Black Metal Church Arsons (1992-1996): In the early 1990s, members of the Norwegian black metal scene, some of whom espoused anti-Christian and anti-religious sentiments, were responsible for a series of church arsons. Notably, Varg Vikernes, a prominent figure in the scene, was convicted for the arson of Åsane Church in Bergen, among other offenses. These acts were motivated by a desire to oppose Christianity’s influence in Norway and to promote pagan beliefs.

It’s important to note that while these incidents were driven by anti-religious motivations, they are relatively isolated compared to the broader spectrum of ideologically driven violence. Such actions are widely condemned and do not represent the beliefs of the majority of non-religious individuals.