Amid the uproar over a Rajasthan court admitting a petition alleging that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was constructed over a Shiva temple, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized the move, calling it an attack on the country’s secular fabric.
Speaking at a press conference, Owaisi highlighted the historical significance of the Ajmer Dargah, which is a revered Sufi shrine associated with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. “This dargah has been here for 800 years, dating back to the reign of Alauddin Khalji. It is mentioned in Amir Khusro’s writings from the 13th century. Now, centuries later, a claim is being made that it is not a dargah. What will remain of our shared heritage?” Owaisi asked.
“Where Will This Stop?”
The AIMIM leader questioned the broader implications of such claims, warning of a domino effect if different religious communities start disputing historical sites. “If tomorrow, Jain and Buddhist communities file similar claims, what will happen to our nation? This isn’t just about one place; it’s about the future of our pluralistic society,” he said.
Owaisi also pointed out the symbolic importance of the dargah, stating that it has been a site of unity visited by delegations from neighboring countries and marked by the annual offering of a ceremonial chadar by the Prime Minister.
“BJP-RSS Must Stop This”
Owaisi accused the BJP and RSS of fueling such controversies, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has sent ten ceremonial chadars to the dargah in as many years. “How will the government respond to this? These actions are weakening India and diverting attention from real issues like unemployment, inflation, and national security,” he said.
In a sharp critique of the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) involvement, he quipped, “Forget about Artificial Intelligence; let’s just keep doing ASI, digging up history instead of focusing on the future.”
Court Case and Historical Context
The petition was filed by the Hindu Sena, a right-wing outfit, and the Ajmer court has sought responses from the ASI, the Dargah Committee, and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs. This has reignited debates around the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which Owaisi argued should have prevented such claims.
He also criticized former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s remarks in the Gyanvapi case, where the judge noted that the Act does not bar ascertaining the religious character of a place. “This was not just an academic exercise; it opened the floodgates for similar petitions,” Owaisi said.
A Warning of Repetition
Drawing parallels with the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case, Owaisi warned that such disputes could multiply, with claims being made on multiple religious sites across the country. “I had warned after the Babri Masjid verdict that this chapter would not close here. Today, we see these issues cropping up at over 15 sites.”
Owaisi’s remarks underscore the growing tension over historical and religious disputes, raising questions about their impact on India’s secular ethos and social harmony. As the case progresses, all eyes are on the court’s response and the government’s stance on such polarizing claims.