Vishnu Gupta, the President of the National Hindu Army, announced that a local court in Ajmer has admitted the case he filed, claiming that a Lord Shiva temple exists within the premises of the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah. The next hearing in the case will be held on December 20, according to Gupta.
“Today, the court admitted our case and issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The next hearing is scheduled for December 20,” Vishnu Gupta told media.
The case, filed as a civil suit, claims that there is a Shiva temple within the Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. A local court, presided over by Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel, directed that notices be issued to the Dargah Committee, the ASI, and the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Gupta’s advocate, Yogesh Siroja, also added that while he is a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, he was not made a party to the suit but remains in contact with the legal team.
Sufi Leader Criticizes Rising Claims on Religious Sites
Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, criticized the increasing number of incidents in which various groups are staking claims on mosques and dargahs across the country.
“These incidents are becoming frequent. Every other day, we hear of groups claiming mosques and dargahs. This is not in the interest of our society and nation. India is becoming a global power, but we must stop getting stuck in endless temple and mosque disputes,” said Chishty.
He called for the intervention of the central government and urged the creation of a law that would prevent any such claims on religious sites, emphasizing that India needs clear guidelines on such matters.
“Ajmer has a history of 850 years. I appeal to the government to intervene and ensure that no one can claim religious institutions like this. In 2022, Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) said, ‘How long will we continue to find Shivalayas in mosques?’ and I agree with him,” Chishty added.
Related Incidents and Legal Actions
The case in Ajmer follows a similar trend seen in other parts of the country. Earlier in November, a survey was conducted at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, after a petition was filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, claiming the mosque was originally a temple. The survey, which was part of a legal process, faced heavy resistance, including stone-pelting from some “anti-social elements,” which led to deaths and injuries during the incident.
This growing trend of surveys and legal claims over religious sites, including mosques and temples, has sparked concerns about the increasing polarization around religious heritage in India.