Representatives of the dargah administration are calling for stringent action against those responsible for inciting religious discord.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Rajasthan State Minorities Commission has urged the District Collector of Ajmer to investigate the allegations that some Hindu groups have made derogatory statements against Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, the Sufi saint revered by people of different faiths.
The issue arose after some Hindu groups laid their claim to the ownership of the revered Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer. They claim that the historic dargah was originally a Hindu temple before being converted into a shrine.
Representatives of the dargah administration have vehemently denied these claims, condemning the derogatory statements made by Hindu groups and calling for stringent action against those responsible for inciting religious discord.
Talking exclusively to Clarion India, Haji Syed Salman Chishti, the Sajjada Nasheen (administrator) of the dargah and Chairman of Chishti Foundation, emphasised the need for decisive measures against organisations spreading misinformation and fostering communal tensions. He asserted that such actions pose a threat to the harmony and secular fabric of the nation, warranting swift and resolute action from authorities.
The controversy escalated when Simran Gupta, president of the Hindu Shakti Dal, and her supporters submitted a memorandum to the Ajmer administration, demanding transfer of the dargah’s ownership to Hindus. Gupta alleged that the dargah was constructed after demolishing a Hindu temple and insisted on its restoration to the Hindu community.
Speaking to local authorities, Gupta purportedly claimed that the Jannati Darwaza of Dargah Sharif was originally a Hindu Shiva temple, sparking outrage among the dargah’s followers and community leaders. However, concerns were raised regarding the potential for exacerbating religious tensions, prompting authorities to tread cautiously in handling the situation.
Local journalist Raees Ahmad highlighted the Hindu Shakti Dal’s written request to the administration, advocating for the dargah’s transfer to Hindus on the grounds of its alleged origins as a Shiva temple. The group’s inflammatory rhetoric, which included accusations of terrorism against Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, has further inflamed sentiments and intensified calls for action against those responsible.
The Maharana Pratap Sena, another Hindu group, has also urging authorities to initiate a thorough inquiry akin to the excavation of the Babri Masjid site.
Amid growing tensions, the association of khuddam (Volunteers) has issued a stern warning, threatening street protests if the individuals responsible for the objectionable remarks are not apprehended promptly. A delegation from Ajmer Dargah has also approached the Rajasthan State Minority Commission, seeking intervention to address the escalating situation and safeguard communal harmony.
Despite multiple complaints and FIRs filed against the perpetrators, concerns persist over the delay in arrests and the need for swift action to curb hate speech and maintain social cohesion.
With the Rajasthan State Minorities Commission urging expedited investigations and the District Collector of Ajmer summoned to provide a report within seven days, the controversy surrounding the dargah continues to unfold against a backdrop of religious tensions and calls for justice.
