Sarwat Chishti, Secretary of the Ajmer Dargah Anjuman Committee questioned the rationale behind such claims, pointing to the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which mandates maintaining the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947. “
Team Clarion
AJMER — A fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the historic Ajmer Dargah, as claims surfaced asserting that the shrine is an ancient Shiva temple. The Hindu Sena has moved the court with this assertion, prompting strong reactions from the Ajmer Dargah Anjuman Committee and the shrine’s spiritual leaders. The committee has firmly reiterated that the dargah will remain a sacred site dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as a symbol of communal harmony and unity.
The matter escalated after the court accepted a petition filed by the Hindu Army, seeking to declare the dargah an old Shiva temple. Notices have been issued to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Dargah Committee, and the Archaeological Survey of India, with a follow-up hearing set for December 20.
Sarwar Chishti, Secretary of the Ajmer Dargah Anjuman Committee, has strongly criticised the claims and the legal proceedings. Speaking to reporters, he remarked, “This is not the first time such allegations have been made. We’ve seen similar attempts in cases involving sites like Mathura and Kashi. However, the Ajmer Dargah stands as a beacon of communal unity and faith, and it will remain so.”
Sarwar Chishti further emphasised the cultural and spiritual importance of the dargah. “The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is revered from Afghanistan to Indonesia. It is a centre of diversity and brotherhood. Turning it into a centre of controversy is neither in the interest of the nation nor the community,” he said.
Chishti also questioned the rationale behind such claims, pointing to the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which mandates maintaining the religious character of places of worship as they stood on August 15, 1947. “Why provoke sentiments when the law is clear? The Ajmer Dargah will remain the dargah of Garib Nawaz, in sha Allah, now and forever,” he affirmed.
Adding to the committee’s firm stance, Syed Naseeruddin, the successor of Dargah Diwan, voiced concern over the growing trend of targeting mosques and dargahs. “This has become a disturbing pattern in the country. We are closely monitoring developments and will take legal opinions to have this case dismissed. Attempts to alter the dargah’s status will not succeed,” he stated.
The controversy is drawing parallels to other high-profile disputes over religious sites in India, including the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura. On June 22, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had cautioned against seeking Shivlings in every mosque, a sentiment echoed by Chishti.
Critics argue that such cases undermine the secular fabric of the country and disrupt social harmony. “Making such baseless claims about historic sites is not in the nation’s best interest. The Ajmer Dargah has already endured challenges, including a bombing in 2007, but its sanctity and spirit have remained intact,” Chishti said.
The Ajmer Dargah has been a spiritual sanctuary for centuries, welcoming devotees of all faiths. Its legacy as a centre for peace and interfaith dialogue remains a cornerstone of its identity.
The case is poised to test not only legal frameworks but also the broader ethos of the country’s cultural and religious coexistence. As the court hearing approaches, the Ajmer Dargah Committee and its followers stand resolute in their determination to protect the sanctity of this iconic shrine.
