Who is Vishnu Gupta, Hindu Sena Chief Behind Plea Claiming Existence Of Shiva Temple At Ajmer Dargah

Born in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, and later moving to Delhi, Gupta became involved in Hindu nationalist movements early on, joining the Shiv Sena’s youth wing as a student and later the Bajrang Dal in 2008.

Ajmer court on Wednesday, November 27, accepted a petition filed by Vishnu Gupta, the national president of the Hindu Sena, seeking a survey of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a revered shrine dedicated to Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The petition claims there is evidence of an ancient Lord Shiva temple at the site.

According to a report by Indian Express, the court has issued notices to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ajmer Dargah Committee, scheduling the next hearing for December 20. 

Born in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, and later moving to Delhi, Gupta became involved in Hindu nationalist movements early on, joining the Shiv Sena’s youth wing as a student and later the Bajrang Dal in 2008.

Vishnu Gupta: Co-Founder And Chief Of Hindu Sena

In 2011, Gupta co-founded the Hindu Sena, which he claims has a significant membership base across India. The organisation, unaffiliated with the Shiv Sena or Sangh Parivar, describes its mission on its website as" aims to oppose the Islamisation in any form, Sharia law implementation, love jihad and Islamic extremism in India”, and that it would “highlight and protest and take legal action against any person/entity causing harm to the sovereignty of India and Sanatana Dharma”.

So far, the Hindu Sena has been involved in various actions. In August 2013, Vishnu Gupta, along with another protester, physically assaulted 70-year-old terror accused Abdul Karim alias Tunda inside the Patiala House court in Delhi.

In February 2014, Hindu Sena staged a protest outside 'The Caravan' magazine's office after it published a report on Swami Aseemanand, who was then jailed for his alleged involvement in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah, Mecca Masjid, and Samjhauta Express bombings. Later, he was freed from all cases.

In October 2015, Gupta was detained by Delhi Police for filing a false complaint alleging that beef was being served at Kerala House's canteen in New Delhi. The incident drew condemnation from Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who termed the police action "highly objectionable."

Gupta was arrested in January 2016 after Hindu Sena members vandalised the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) office in New Delhi. That August, the outfit protested then Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Pakistan. He also gained attention for organising a 'havan' in support of Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

In May 2019, Hindu Sena filed a complaint against actor-politician Kamal Haasan for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by referring to Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, as a “Hindu terrorist.” After two years, in September 2021, members of the Hindu Sena vandalised Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's residence in Delhi's Ashoka Road area, damaging property and hurling an axe at the house.

In December 2021, Gupta and others attacked Jammu and Kashmir MLA Engineer Rashid at the Press Club of India in Delhi, throwing ink and mobil oil at him. In June 2023, Hindu Sena filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court against the film 'Adipurush', seeking to block its release. In January 2023, they defaced signboards on Delhi’s Babar Road, replacing them with stickers reading “Ayodhya Marg.”

In February 2023, Gupta claimed that he had received a threatening letter over his involvement in the Krishna Janmabhoomi case. Hindu Sena has also supported the Balochistan freedom movement in Pakistan and more recently protested in solidarity with Hindus in Bangladesh.

Complaints, FIRs Against Vishnu Gupta, And 'Hindu Sena'

Over the years, Vishnu Gupta and the Hindu Sena have faced numerous police complaints and FIRs related to their controversial actions. In October 2011, an FIR was registered against Gupta and Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (now a BJP leader) for allegedly assaulting Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan in his chamber. Charges included trespassing, criminal assault, and conspiracy. Gupta, who was absconding, was later arrested by Delhi Police.

Later, in January 2016, an FIR for rioting, assault, property damage, and criminal conspiracy was registered against Gupta after Hindu Sena members harassed staff and damaged property at the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) office on Barakhamba Road. He along with other Hindu Sena members was apprehended for trespassing and manhandling CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury at the party's Delhi headquarters in June 2017.

In November 2020, an FIR was filed against Gupta for defacing the signboard of 'the India Islamic Cultural Centre' in Delhi, replacing it with a poster labelling it as a “Jihadi Terrorist Islamic Centre.” In addition, five Hindu Sena members were arrested for vandalising the residence of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Delhi in September 2021.

In June 2022, the Hindu Sena organised a “sword distribution” event at a Delhi temple in support of Nupur Sharma after her suspension from the BJP for hate speech. A complaint was filed with the National Commission for Minorities regarding the event.

In August 2023, Delhi Police halted a Hindu Sena-led ‘Mahapanchayat’ at Jantar Mantar over inflammatory speeches referencing communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh. Participants, including Gupta, allegedly made provocative statements against Islam and called for genocide, supported by Yati Narsinghanand.

Last year, in February 2023, the Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Sundresh dismissed a Hindu Sena petition seeking a ban on the BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, calling the plea “completely misconceived."