NEW DELHI – The revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a symbol of India’s syncretic traditions, has become the latest religious site embroiled in disputes fueled by Hindu nationalist efforts to reclaim places allegedly built over Hindu temples.
On Nov 27, a civil court in Rajasthan’s Ajmer city issued notices to the Indian government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) following a suit filed by Vishnu Gupta, president of the Hindu Sena, a nationalist group. The suit claims the dargah, the resting place of 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, was constructed atop a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Hindu Sena has demanded an ASI survey of the site and sought Hindu prayer rights at the shrine, which was built by Mughal Emperor Humayun and is revered by people of all faiths. However, the shrine’s caretakers accuse the group of inciting communal discord.
“Right-wing forces are targeting the Sufi shrine to isolate Muslims and disrupt harmony,” said Syed Sarwar Chishti, secretary of the Anjuman Syed Zadgan, which oversees the shrine.
Growing Trend of Temple-Mosque Disputes
The controversy over Ajmer Sharif comes amid a broader pattern of court-ordered surveys of disputed religious sites, often prompted by Hindu nationalist groups claiming Mughal-era mosques were built on destroyed temples. Activists warn this trend risks exacerbating communal tensions in India’s multi-religious society.
A similar conflict recently erupted in Uttar Pradesh, where a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal led to violent protests on Nov 24, resulting in five deaths. More than a dozen cases involving historic sites, including Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque and Mathura’s Shahi Idgah, are pending in courts nationwide.
The disputes have reignited debate over the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, a law protecting the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. While the Act prohibits converting places of worship, courts have permitted surveys to determine their “religious character,” which activists argue undermines the law’s intent.
Political and Social Reactions
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is divided on the issue. While some leaders support the surveys as a way to address historical grievances, others oppose targeting places like Ajmer Sharif. BJP spokeswoman Shazia Ilmi criticized the claims, emphasizing the shrine’s historical and spiritual significance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who sent a ceremonial offering to Ajmer Sharif earlier this year, has faced calls from Muslim leaders to intervene. “Win the hearts of Muslims and stop those spreading tensions,” urged Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid.
Legal Challenges Ahead
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act starting Dec 12, with activists urging the court to enforce the law strictly. Human rights groups like the People’s Union for Civil Liberties warn against revisiting historical grievances, calling for an end to the surveys.
“We cannot keep reopening wounds of the past. The Act must be upheld to preserve communal harmony,” said PUCL president Kavita Srivastava.
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah, visited daily by tens of thousands from across South Asia, remains a potent symbol of religious coexistence, even as it faces growing challenges in an increasingly polarized nation.