AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The historic shrine of Baba Bulleh Shah, a prominent 18th-century poet and Sufi mystic, was vandalized on Friday in the city of Mussoorie in India’s Uttarakhand state. The attack was carried out by members of a group reportedly linked to the Hindu Raksha Dal.
Videos circulating on social media show the attackers damaging parts of the shrine’s interior while chanting Hindu slogans. Following the footage, the Hindu Raksha Dal claimed responsibility for the act, alleging that the shrine had been built illegally on land belonging to a private school.
The claim drew strong reactions from local Muslim committees and area residents, who said the shrine had been constructed with legal authorization and has long hosted gatherings attended by followers of different faiths, serving as a symbol of coexistence and tolerance.
After the incident, Mussoorie police registered a formal complaint and opened a case against the identified individuals on charges of inciting religious hatred and desecrating a place of worship. A police officer said at least three suspects have so far been identified, though no arrests have yet been made.
The officer added that as investigations continue and more individuals are identified through video evidence, additional names will be added to the case, and firm legal action will be taken against those responsible. Police have also secured the site to prevent further damage.
Baba Bulleh Shah is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Punjabi Sufi literature. His poetry, centered on love, tolerance, humanism, and criticism of religious fanaticism, continues to inspire millions in India and Pakistan.
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