Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of double standards in its approach towards religious harmony and cultural heritage. Referring to the recent vandalism of the shrine of renowned Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah, Mufti alleged that the ruling party chose to remain silent while projecting a different image abroad.
In a statement, Mehbooba Mufti said BJP leaders are often seen welcoming Middle Eastern religious leaders and Sheikhs on international platforms, highlighting cultural and religious tolerance. However, she claimed that the same leaders failed to condemn the vandalism of a Sufi shrine within the country. According to Mufti, this silence reflects selective outrage and exposes what she described as hypocrisy in the party’s actions.
The shrine of Baba Bulleh Shah, a revered Sufi poet known for his teachings of love, harmony, and humanism, was reportedly vandalised on January 24. The incident drew concern from several quarters, with many calling for protection of cultural and spiritual heritage sites. However, Mufti alleged that the lack of strong response from those in power was troubling.
She further claimed that such incidents are not isolated but part of a larger pattern. According to Mufti, issues related to religious intolerance are allowed to escalate while attention is diverted away from critical socio economic challenges. She said rising unemployment, poverty, and economic distress continue to affect large sections of the population, but public discourse is often redirected towards divisive incidents.
Mehbooba Mufti also stressed that Sufism has historically played a vital role in promoting communal harmony in the Indian subcontinent. She said attacks on Sufi shrines strike at the core of India’s pluralistic traditions. Ignoring such acts, she warned, could deepen social divisions and weaken the country’s cultural fabric.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister urged authorities to take firm action against those responsible for the vandalism. She said safeguarding religious and cultural sites is essential for maintaining harmony and upholding constitutional values. Mufti also called on political leaders across party lines to condemn such acts without bias.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has not issued a detailed response to Mufti’s remarks at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked debate over the protection of heritage sites and the political handling of sensitive religious issues.
Observers note that statements like these come amid heightened political discourse ahead of upcoming electoral developments. The incident has once again brought focus on how religious and cultural issues intersect with national politics and governance.
Mufti concluded by saying that addressing economic challenges and ensuring social unity should be the priority, rather than remaining silent on acts that threaten India’s long standing traditions of coexistence.
