Controversy Surrounds Ajmer’s Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah, Sparks National and International Debate

A controversy has erupted over the world-renowned Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer, which has stirred political debates across the country and beyond. The issue, emerging after the Babri Masjid and Gyanvapi controversies, has gained widespread attention, reaching not just the streets and Parliament, but international discussions as well.

The controversy began with a petition filed in a civil court in Ajmer, where Vishnu Gupta, president of the Hindu Sena, claimed on September 25, 2024, that there was a Shiva temple inside the Dargah. He referred to the arguments in the book "Ajmer-Historical and Descriptive," which mentions the existence of a Hindu temple beneath the Ajmer Dargah. The court accepted the petition on November 27, 2024, with Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel issuing notices to the Ajmer Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), requesting their responses by December 20. The case is set for hearing in court. Meanwhile, the issue has also become a political matter, with statements from both supporters and opponents, including politicians and common citizens. The BJP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have called for patience, asserting that after a thorough investigation, the truth will emerge. On the other hand, opposition leaders have criticized the move, calling it an attack on the country’s communal harmony and its rich cultural heritage.

Rajasthan’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, remarked that while the court will decide on the matter, it is also true that several temples were destroyed by Mughal invaders, including Aurangzeb and Babur, who later built mosques on those sites. He suggested that the court should order an excavation if necessary to find any artifacts that would shed light on the history.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his concerns, emphasizing that the country’s freedom was gained on the principle that religious places should remain as they were. He criticized the petition, stating that the Ajmer Dargah is nearly 800 years old and questioning the need to bring the matter to court. Gehlot pointed out that people of all religions, including Hindus, visit the Dargah, which is a symbol of harmony. He also mentioned that every Indian prime minister, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, has offered chadar (a sacred cloth) at the Dargah, which showcases its importance in the nation’s secular fabric.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also commented on the issue, recalling the 1991 Supreme Court ruling that prohibited changes to the status of religious sites as they stood in 1947. She lamented that the court’s decision had led to the rise of similar demands across the country.

MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his anger, accusing the BJP and RSS of spreading hatred toward mosques and Dargahs, which he claimed is harmful to the national interest. He stated that the Dargah has existed for 800 years, and several prime ministers have shown respect toward it. He also criticized the lower courts for not addressing the issue under the Places of Worship Act.

Following the court’s acceptance of the petition claiming the existence of a Shiva temple within the Dargah, the Diwan of Ajmer Dargah, who represents the spiritual leadership of the Dargah, responded publicly. In a press conference, the Diwan stated that they will respond legally in court. He dismissed the claim based on the book that mentioned such an idea, clarifying that the language used in the book was speculative, using terms like “it is said” or “it is believed.” He urged the public to maintain peace and avoid actions that could escalate the dispute.

Syed Naseeruddin Chishti, the son of the late Diwan Jenuwal Abideen, also issued a statement. He said the Dargah’s history is over 800 years old, and it has always been a place of harmony. The recent claim of a Shiva temple within the Dargah, according to him, is part of a broader trend where similar claims are being made about mosques across the country. He called on the government to take action against individuals making these claims.

Vishnu Gupta, the petitioner in the case, has been in the spotlight for his controversial comments on Hindu issues. He founded the Hindu Sena in 2011, a group focused on promoting Hindutva. He had previously written to Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting the revocation of Muslim minority status and the banning of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in 2022.

In his petition, Gupta referenced pages 93, 94, 96, and 97 of the book Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive, authored by Harbilas Sharda in 1911. He argued that the architecture of the Buland Darwaza in the Dargah resembled that of Hindu temples, and the carvings suggested the presence of a Hindu temple before the Dargah was built. He also pointed out the presence of water and springs, which are common features of Shiva temples, as further evidence.

Gupta claimed that the Ajmer Dargah was originally a Shiva temple, specifically the Sankatmochan Mahadev Temple, and demanded that the registration of the Dargah be revoked and it be officially recognized as a Hindu temple, with permission granted for Hindu worship.

The petition filed in the Ajmer Civil Court claims the presence of a Shiva temple under the famous Khwaja Sahib Dargah, and the court has accepted it, issuing notices to the relevant authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for December 20.

This sensitive issue will likely continue to unfold on the legal front, and its resolution will be closely watched.