Shrine of Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah vandalised in Mussoorie; case filed against three

Accused, linked to a Hindutva outfit, used hammers and iron rods to damage the 18th-century Sufi poet’s shrine

Mussoorie: A case has been registered against three persons for allegedly damaging the shrine of 18th-century Sufi poet and philosopher Baba Bulleh Shah in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, ANI reported on Sunday. The accused are associated with a Hindutva group.

The shrine, situated on the premises of Wynberg-Allen School, was vandalised on Saturday using hammers and iron rods. Religious texts kept inside the structure were also destroyed, according to the FIR.

The accused have been identified as Hariom, Shivayun and Shraddha, while 25 to 30 unidentified persons have also been named in the case. They have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita related to disturbing communal harmony, public order, and defiling places of worship. No arrests have been made so far, and an investigation is underway.

A video of the vandalism was shared on social media by Pinky Chaudhary, chief of the Hindu Raksha Dal, who praised the group’s Uttarakhand unit and claimed responsibility for the act.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh said the case was filed following a complaint by members of the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, Baba Bulleh Shah Committee president Rajat Agarwal described the incident as an attempt to disturb Mussoorie’s peaceful environment. Hindutva groups had earlier opposed the expansion of the shrine, alleging it was illegally constructed on government land. The committee denied the claim, stating the shrine stands on private school property with permission and that official inquiries found no encroachment.

Baba Bulleh Shah passed away in 1757, and his grave is located in Kasur, Pakistan.