Masoom Shah Baba's shrine reduced to rubble as BJP MLA calls it a 'victory against land jihad'; Muslims call action heartless, communal
NEW DELHI/RUDRAPUR — A 50-year-old dargah was torn down by a bulldozer on Tuesday at 4 am in the town of Rudrapur, raising serious questions about religious freedom, political motives, and communal targeting under the BJP-led Uttarakhand government. The shrine of Syed Masoom Shah Baba, a revered site for many local Muslims, was levelled under heavy police presence in what officials claimed was an anti-encroachment drive.
Local Muslim leaders, residents, and civil rights groups have condemned the action as an act of communal bias, calling it a direct attack on Muslim identity and religious sites. The bulldozing took place under the orders of the state administration, allegedly as part of a broader campaign against what the BJP calls “land jihad”—a term widely criticised for being communal and divisive.
Videos of the bulldozer in action, tearing through the green-domed dargah while police stood guard, quickly went viral on social media. Eyewitnesses say the operation was conducted suddenly, without proper warning, and in total darkness.
“It was a peaceful shrine where people used to pray. The administration brought bulldozers in the early morning like we are enemies of the state,” said Mohammad Shafiq, a local shopkeeper whose family had been visiting the dargah for generations. “They could have talked to us, but instead they chose to destroy it without compassion.”
The shrine, located at Indra Chowk in Rudrapur, had stood for nearly five decades and was known among locals for its spiritual and social significance. Several Muslims in the area expressed shock and pain, calling the demolition a “cruel and calculated insult.”
Rudrapur City Superintendent of Police (SP) Uttam Singh told reporters, “Notices were issued earlier to vacate the land. When there was no action from the concerned parties, we had to carry out the demolition to clear the encroachment. A large police force was deployed to avoid any disturbance.”
However, local community leaders question the so-called notices. “What notice? None of us were formally informed,” said Qari Imran, a local imam. “This is not just about land. This is about targeting Muslims and sending a message that our places of worship can be demolished anytime.”
Adding fuel to the fire, BJP MLA Shiv Arora publicly justified the demolition. “This is not just any action; this is part of our mission to free Uttarakhand from land jihad,” he said. “That tomb was causing problems for road widening. Now Rudrapur is free from that jam.”
His words sparked outrage across Muslim groups and social media. Critics say this language is not only offensive but also dangerous in a multi-religious society.
The term “land jihad” has no legal definition but has been promoted by Hindutva groups and some BJP leaders to allege that Muslims are occupying government land illegally for religious purposes. Many call it a political tool to demonise one community and deepen religious divides.
Social activist and retired teacher Nadeem Ansari called the government’s act “inhuman and politically motivated.”
“They didn’t touch illegal temples, shops, or private constructions. They only demolished a Muslim place of faith. What does this tell us?” he asked.
Human rights lawyer Rubina Ahmed also expressed concern: “This kind of language — ‘land jihad’ — is meant to stir hatred. The state is supposed to be secular. When state machinery starts acting on communal agendas, minorities live in fear.”
As of now, no major secular party has come forward with a strong condemnation of the demolition. Local Muslim residents say the silence is louder than words.
“They have broken a dargah today. What will they break tomorrow?” said 19-year-old college student Shahbaz. “We are Indian citizens. Our worship places are not illegal. Our prayers are not illegal.”
Several Muslim families living near Indra Chowk said they were too afraid to speak openly, fearing police action or political backlash. One elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said through tears, “Masoom Shah Baba was a man of peace. They didn’t just break a shrine; they broke our hearts.”
The Rudrapur incident is not the first time religious structures associated with Muslims have been brought down under the BJP governments. Similar actions have taken place in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, often with bulldozers rolling into Muslim neighbourhoods under the guise of removing encroachments.
“These bulldozers are being used as a symbol of power. They are not just machines anymore. They are now part of a political message,” said journalist Arif Siddiqui, who has reported on bulldozer actions in several states.
He added, “What is most worrying is that there is no accountability, no court order, no due process. Only a narrative of communal victory.”
The demolition of Syed Masoom Shah Baba’s dargah has widened the trust deficit between the Muslim community and the state government. While officials call it a legal action against encroachment, many see it as a targeted move to stir up communal sentiments ahead of elections and maintain a polarised atmosphere.
“We are not against development,” said resident Rafiq Khan. “But don’t do it by crushing our faith. Talk to us. Involve us. Don’t treat us like outsiders in our own country.”
The air in Rudrapur remains tense, with police patrolling the area, and Muslim residents still reeling from the shock. Whether this bulldozer action was legal or not, the message it sent has left many deeply wounded.
