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The dispute over the mosque managed by UP had not yet ended when a new dispute started in Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan. A local court has accepted the petition to declare Ajmer Sharif Dargah as a Shiva temple. The court has given notice to all the parties.
Like Ayodhya-Kashi-Mathura and Sambhal, the case of Ajmer Sharif Dargah also reached the court. In the application of Hindu Army, Ajmer Sharif Dargah has been described as the temple of Mahadev. Ajmer Civil Court accepted the petition and issued notice to all the parties. Answer has been sought. The next hearing on this application will be on December 20.
All India Sajjadanshin Council President Syed Naseeruddin Chishti expressed displeasure over the claim of Hindu Sena. On this issue, Owaisi had cornered the PM by blaming the Places of Worship Act 1991.
In the petition, reference was made to the book written by retired judge Harbilas Sarada in 1911 – Ajmer: Historical and Narrative. The book claims that the debris of the temple was used in the construction of the dargah. It is also said that there is a sanctum sanctorum and a Jain temple in the complex.
it is said in the book
Petitioner’s lawyer Ramswaroop Bishnoi cited a book by retired judge Harvilas Sharda, which said that the debris of a Hindu temple was used in the construction of the dargah. The book details a basement inside the dargah, which it claims houses a Shivalinga. The book also mentions the remains of a Jain temple in the structure of the dargah and elements of temple debris used in the construction of its 75 feet high Buland Darwaza.
It is said that this Shivalinga was traditionally worshiped by a Brahmin family, and the 75 feet high doorframe of the Dargah suggests the presence of the remains of a Jain temple. The petition has also requested the Archaeological Survey of India to survey the temple so that worship can resume in the area where the Shivalinga is said to be.
An interesting fact about Ajmer is that Prithviraj Chauhan also ruled here. Judge Harvilas said that the descendants of the great warrior Prithviraj Chauhan of Ajmer had built this temple.
What is the claim?
Advocate Yogesh Siroja of plaintiff Vishnu Gupta said that the case was heard in the court of Civil Litigation Judge Manmohan Chandel. Siroja said, ‘It is said that there is a Shiva temple in the dargah. Before this, worship took place. A case was filed to resume worship in September 2024. The court accepted the claim and issued notice.
He said that in this regard, summons have been issued to Ajmer Dargah Committee, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Office-New Delhi. Prosecutor Vishnu Gupta said, “Our demand is that Ajmer Dargah be declared Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple and if there is any registration of the Dargah, it should be cancelled. It should be surveyed through ASI and Hindus should be given the right to worship there.
Dargah administrators expressed concern
In response to the court proceedings, Syed Sarwar Chishti, secretary of the Anjuman committee that looks after the dargah, expressed concern over the implications of such disputes. He cited the Places of Worship Act of 1991.
The Places of Worship Act enacted in 1991 states that a place of worship of any religion existing before 15 August 1947 cannot be converted into a place of worship of any other religion. Chishti underlined the over 800-year-long history of the dargah and disputed the jurisdiction of the ASI over the dargah, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.