Amid the row over a Rajasthan court admitting a petition that claims that the Ajmer Sharif dargah was built over a Shiva temple, AIMIM leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi has said the dargah goes back 800 years and asked, “Where will this stop?”. “That Dargah goes back 800 years, during the reign of Alauddin Khalji; it’s mentioned in Amir Khusro’s book from the 13th century and 800 years later, you are saying it’s not a dargah. What will remain?” he said in a press conference.
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New Delhi: A fresh controversy has erupted over the Ajmer Sharif Dargah following a Rajasthan court’s decision to admit a petition alleging that the revered shrine was built over a Shiva temple.
AIMIM leader and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticized the move, questioning its implications and asserting the historical significance of the dargah.
“That Dargah goes back 800 years”
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Owaisi emphasized the dargah’s historical legacy, which dates back to the 13th century during the reign of Alauddin Khalji.
“That Dargah goes back 800 years, during the reign of Alauddin Khalji; it’s mentioned in Amir Khusro’s book from the 13th century and 800 years later, you are saying it’s not a dargah. What will remain?”
-he remarked, expressing disbelief over the claims challenging its religious identity.
Concerns Over Escalation of Similar Claims
The AIMIM leader highlighted the potential ramifications of such petitions, raising questions about their broader implications for India’s religious harmony.
He pointed out that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah holds not just national but also international significance, with official delegations from neighboring countries visiting the shrine annually.
“Where will this stop? If tomorrow, people from Jain and Buddhist communities go to court claiming that some places are their religious sites, what will happen?”
-he asked.
The case, filed by the Hindu Sena, seeks clarity on the shrine’s origins. The Rajasthan court, after admitting the petition, has sought responses from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Dargah Committee, and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
“What will the Narendra Modi government respond?”
Mr. Owaisi did not shy away from questioning the stance of the ruling government.
“What will the Narendra Modi government respond, they send chadars too. Narendra Modi has sent 10 chadars in 10 years. How will he respond? BJP-RSS must stop this. This is not in the country’s response,”
-he stated, emphasizing the consistent tradition of Indian Prime Ministers sending ceremonial offerings to the dargah.
A Jibe at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
In a sharp and witty critique, the AIMIM leader took a dig at the current focus on historical excavations.
“Don’t talk about artificial intelligence; just keep doing ASI, ASI, and just keep digging,”
-he quipped, urging the nation to prioritize pressing issues over historical debates.
He also suggested that if the ASI were to conduct excavations indiscriminately, ancient structures could even be unearthed under the residences of BJP leaders in Delhi.
“This is how a civilisation progresses; this is weakening India. There are other issues, unemployment, price rise, farmer deaths, and China getting stronger. But you are stuck with this,”
-Mr. Owaisi said, lamenting the distraction from more urgent national challenges.
The Domino Effect of Babri Masjid Judgment
Referring to the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi verdict, Mr. Owaisi expressed concerns that similar disputes would arise across the country.
“If DY Chandrachud stopped this, it would have been the end of the chapter. He made wrong oral observations. So at 15 places, such attempts are being made now,”
-he said, criticizing the judiciary for what he termed as loopholes in its handling of such cases.
“The Act says you can’t alter or convert the nature of the place”
The controversy also brings focus to the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which prohibits altering the religious character of a place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. Mr. Owaisi referred to the observations made by former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud during the Gyanvapi case, which stated that the Act does not bar ascertaining the religious nature of a site.
He questioned the necessity of such investigations, arguing that they could potentially lead to altering the status quo.
“People say what is the problem with ascertaining. Is this an academic exercise? You want to change it,”
–he stated.
The Road Ahead
The Ajmer Dargah controversy adds another chapter to the ongoing debates over India’s historical and religious identity.
Mr. Owaisi’s remarks underline the complexity and sensitivity of such disputes, urging the nation to prioritize unity and focus on pressing socio-economic challenges.
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