Sufi Poet Baba Bulleh Shah’s Mazar Vandalised In Mussoorie, Case Filed.

Alleged Fake Shrine of Sufi Poet Baba Bulleh Shah Destroyed in Mussoorie; Case Filed Against Hindutva Activists.

Tridev Singh | HENB | Dehradun | Jan 26, 2026:: A controversy surrounding an alleged shrine (mazar) linked to the revered Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah escalated into violence late on 24 January, when a group of men allegedly vandalised and demolished the structure in Uttarakhand’s Mussoorie. The Mussoorie Kotwali police have since registered a case against three named individuals and several unidentified persons in connection with the incident.

The Incident

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the vandalism took place within the premises of Wynberg Allen School in the Bala Hisar area of Mussoorie. The accused—identified as Hariom, Shivayun, and Shraddha—along with 25–30 unidentified individuals, allegedly used iron rods and hammers to demolish the shrine late on Saturday night. The FIR also states that religious books kept at the site were damaged during the incident.

Police have registered a case under Sections 196(1)(b) and 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with promoting enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to insult religious beliefs. Authorities have confirmed that the matter is under active investigation.

Police Response

Circle Officer Manoj Aswal confirmed the vandalism while speaking to ANI, stating that individuals had trespassed onto the shrine property and damaged it. He added that a formal complaint had been received at the police station, following which legal action was initiated.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh stated earlier that the police acted upon a written complaint submitted by members of the Muslim community and assured that appropriate action would be taken. While three individuals have been named in the FIR, police officials noted that no arrests have been made so far. Additional suspects are expected to be identified as investigators examine video footage related to the incident.

Role of Social Media

The incident was reportedly preceded by an Instagram video that circulated widely on social media. Around two weeks before the demolition, a Dehradun-based content creator using the handle “Ajay Kaptaan” visited the shrine and filmed himself inside it. In the video, he alleged that bodies were buried at the site and claimed that such a shrine had “no place” in Uttarakhand, asserting that the state was being turned into “mazar bhoomi” instead of “dev bhoomi.”

The content creator is alleged to be associated with the Dehradun unit of the Bajrang Dal. Police sources indicate that the video may have contributed to heightened tensions, ultimately leading to the events of 24 January. On that day, over two dozen men—allegedly including members or supporters of the Uttarakhand unit of the Hindu Raksha Dal—entered the premises, vandalised the shrine using hammers and shovels, raised slogans, and allegedly desecrated the site.

Who Was Baba Bulleh Shah?

Baba Bulleh Shah, born Sayyid Abdullāh Shāh Qādrī (c. 1680–1757), was a renowned Punjabi Sufi poet, philosopher, and reformer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the Punjabi language, he is often described as the “Father of Punjabi Enlightenment.” His poetry, including around 150 kafis and numerous other compositions, emphasised Sufi mysticism, humanism, and a rejection of rigid religious identities.

One of his most famous verses—“Na main Hindu na Turk Peshawari, na main Arabi na Lahori, Bulla ki jaana main kaun”—captures his spiritual universalism and continues to resonate across religious and cultural boundaries.

Bulleh Shah died in 1757 at the age of 77 and was buried in Kasur (in present-day Pakistan), where he had spent much of his life. Historical accounts suggest that he faced opposition from religious fundamentalists during his lifetime and even after his death, leading to his burial on the outskirts of the town.

Controversy Over the Mussoorie Shrine

Opponents of the shrine in Mussoorie have claimed that it was not an authentic mazar of Baba Bulleh Shah, citing historical records that place his burial in Kasur. On this basis, Hindutva-aligned groups alleged that the structure was a “fake mazar (shrine)” and described it as an instance of alleged land encroachment or “land jihad.” These assertions remain allegations and have not been legally established.

Investigation

The demolition of the alleged Baba Bulleh Shah shrine in Mussoorie highlights the growing impact of social media narratives, contested religious histories, and communal tensions. While police investigations are ongoing and further legal action is expected, the incident has reignited debates over religious coexistence, vigilantism, and the limits of ideological activism. Authorities have stated that action will be taken against all individuals found guilty once the investigation is complete.
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_Inputs from ANI.