The ongoing legal dispute over the Ajmer Sharif Dargah has brought to light a sensitive yet significant chapter in India’s history, where claims of cultural dominance through the destruction of sacred sites are resurfacing. The Ajmer Civil Court is currently examining a petition by the Hindu Sena, which alleges that the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti stands on the ruins of an ancient Shiva temple. This case is not merely a local issue but part of a larger narrative of historical reclamation, religious identity, and contested heritage in India.
At the heart of the controversy is the claim that the site, originally known as the “Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple,” was demolished by Muslim rulers as a demonstration of their supremacy.
This dispute, like other cases involving Gyanvapi and Mathura, underscores the complex interplay between faith, history, and politics, reflecting a society grappling with its multi-layered past.
On November 27, 2024 a Court in Ajmer issued Notice to the defendant (Muslim Side) – A petition filed in the Ajmer Civil Court has reignited historical and cultural debates, claiming that the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the mausoleum of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, was constructed after demolishing a pre-existing Shiva temple. The Hindu Sena, which filed the petition, alleges that Muslim invaders destroyed the temple to assert their dominance and establish religious supremacy.
#BREAKING : Court has accepted the petition claiming Ajmer Sharif Dargah as a Hindu temple of God Shiva as alleged Om & Swastik symbols found on windows of Dargah. Notice issued to all concerned parties. pic.twitter.com/bmr1INIpaW
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) November 27, 2024
The petition asserts that the site was originally known as the “Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple,” which was desecrated and replaced by the Dargah. To substantiate their claims, the petitioners have cited historical references, including a 1910 book authored by Harvilas Sharda, a former commissioner and district judge from Ajmer, which allegedly details the existence of the temple.
The court, presided over by Justice Chandel, has issued summons to the Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), directing them to respond to the claims. The next hearing is scheduled for December 20.
The Hindu Sena represented by his Chief Vishnu Gupta argues that the destruction of the temple was part of a systematic campaign by Muslim rulers to establish their authority over the indigenous Hindu population. The petition demands an ASI survey of the site to uncover evidence of the temple’s existence and calls for the restoration of Hindu worship rights at the location.
Advocates representing the Hindu Sena, including Ramswaroop Bishnoi, stated, “The evidence strongly suggests that a Shiva temple once stood here, which was deliberately demolished to impose cultural dominance. An ASI survey is necessary to bring the truth to light.
The respondents, including the Dargah Committee, are expected to challenge the claims, highlighting the site’s long-standing status as a sacred Islamic shrine revered by followers of multiple faiths.
This case has sparked intense reactions and is being closely watched as it joins a growing list of disputes involving historical religious sites, such as the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi issue in Mathura.
The court’s decision on ordering an ASI survey could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the Ajmer Dargah but for other contentious sites across India. The December 20 hearing will be pivotal in determining the future course of this high-stakes case.
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