The ongoing controversy surrounding the Ajmer Dargah took a new turn on Thursday when Syed Zainul Abidin Ali Khan, the Sajjada Nasheen of the Dargah, responded to the recent court order regarding a petition filed by the Hindu Sena. The petition claims that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the site of a Lord Shiva temple. Khan remarked that such petitions can be filed by anyone for “publicity” and “personal interest,” citing the November 24 incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where stone-pelting led to the deaths of four people.
Khan, speaking to ANI, emphasized that anyone can file a petition in court, which will be entertained as long as proper evidence is provided. However, he pointed out that the legal process is long and that a final verdict is yet to be reached. Referring to the petition, Khan stated that it was a matter of personal interest and publicity, stressing that such actions cannot be prevented.
When questioned about why places of worship, particularly dargahs, are being targeted, Khan responded, “It is their personal interest. Anyone can do it for publicity.” He then referenced a statement made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in 2022, in which he questioned how long people would continue searching for a shivling in every mosque. Khan drew a parallel between Bhagwat’s statement and the recent violence in Sambhal, where five innocent lives were lost. Two of the deceased, he added, were the sole breadwinners in their families, highlighting the devastating impact on their families.
The controversy also drew comments from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who questioned the actions of lower courts in the case and accused the government of undermining the country’s unity and rule of law. Asaduddin Owaisi stated that the actions of the Modi government and RSS were contributing to a weakening of national cohesion, adding that they would have to answer for the loss of lives in incidents like the Sambhal violence.
On Wednesday, a local court in Ajmer had issued a notice to three parties— the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs— in response to a civil suit claiming that a Shiva temple exists within the Ajmer Dargah. Advocate Yogesh Siroja, representing the plaintiff, confirmed the court’s decision, noting that the suit was being heard by Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel.
Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, condemned the increasing trend of various groups staking claims to mosques and dargahs across the country. He warned that such incidents are harmful to the country’s social fabric and called for a shift away from religious controversies to ensure India’s progress on the global stage.
