Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 30 Jan: The incident of damage caused to Baba Bulle Shah’s shrine in Mussoorie has escalated. The police administration is proactive regarding this matter. Last night, the police summoned three named individuals to the police station for questioning and served them notices. On Friday, the police also separately questioned office-bearers of the Muslim Seva Sangathan and members of the Baba Bulle Shah Shrine Committee and recorded their statements. During the questioning, information was gathered regarding the entire sequence of events related to the shrine, the alleged provocative messages being spread on social media, and the statements of both sides. Political rhetoric has also intensified in this matter.
Congress leader Megh Singh Kandari alleged that some ‘Hindu’ organisations are trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of Mussoorie by making Baba Bulle Shah’s shrine an issue. He said that unnecessary threats are being given through social media, which is harming Mussoorie’s harmonious image. Kandari demanded strict action from the government and the police administration against such people. He said that Mussoorie is a bouquet of people of all castes and religions, but some anti-social elements want to crush it, which will not be tolerated. He warned that, if action is not taken against those who are spoiling the atmosphere on social media, he and his associates will stage a protest at Ambedkar Chowk against the police, administration, and the government. Meanwhile, Chand Khan, a member of the Baba Bulle Shah Shrine Committee, said that some Hindu organisations are continuously making threats, but they are not afraid. He clarified that, if the shrine is found to be unauthorised, it should be removed according to the rules, but the alleged heinous act committed against their holy book, the Quran, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Chand Khan said that they are fighting a legal battle under the Constitution and they are fully confident that the culprits will definitely be punished.
Danish Khan of the Muslim Service Organisation said that attempts are being made to divide Mussoorie along Hindu-Muslim lines, which is extremely unfortunate. He said that he was born in Mussoorie and has never witnessed such an atmosphere before, but some people from outside are making unnecessary statements regarding the shrine of Baba Bulle Shah. He demanded that the government, police, and administration put a stop to such rhetoric.
On the other hand, some Hindu organisations claim that the Muslim community is illegally constructing shrines along the roadside. They ask that Baba Bulle Shah’s tomb is located in Pakistan, so how was his shrine built in Mussoorie, and what is the purpose behind the construction of the other eight shrines within the shrine complex? This, they say, is a matter for investigation. The organisations stated that “land jihad” will not be tolerated in Mussoorie under any circumstances, and the alleged shrine propaganda underway in Uttarakhand, the “Land of the Gods”, must be stopped. Regarding the entire matter, Mussoorie Police Station Incharge Devendra Chauhan said that the police are recording statements from both sides and taking action according to the law. He said that the site has also been inspected, and the police are conducting an impartial investigation. Strict action will be taken against those who try to disrupt law and order.
