AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in light of the recent controversy over Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan. This follows a petition filed by Hindu Sena, which claims the Dargah to be a former temple of Lord Shiva, accepted by a Rajasthan court.
Owaisi, in an interview with ANI, pointed to the Dargah’s historical significance, stating it has been a revered site for over 800 years. He mentioned that past Prime Ministers, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, have sent “chadars” to the shrine, underscoring its importance as a religious landmark. “The dargah has been there for the last 800 years. It was there during the Mughal rule, and even during the British era, they constructed a water house in 1911 for Queen Elizabeth. Why has the BJP-RSS started spreading hatred over mosques and dargahs now?” he asked.
Owaisi also raised concerns over the role of lower courts, suggesting that the Places of Worship Act was being disregarded. “Why are the lower courts ignoring the Places of Worship Act? This is not just about the Dargah; it’s about the future of religious harmony in India. What about the rule of law?” he questioned.
The MP also criticized the governance of the Modi government and the RSS for fueling division and undermining national unity. He cited recent incidents, like the violence in Sambhal, to highlight the detrimental effects of such political rhetoric. “The governance of Modi and RSS is weakening the country’s brotherhood and rule of law. They will have to answer for this,” he asserted.
Congress MP Imran Masood also voiced concerns, urging Prime Minister Modi to address the issue. He called for the Supreme Court to intervene, stressing that undermining religious places would destabilize the nation. “Such incidents will set the whole country on fire. PM Modi should look into this matter and the Supreme Court should take cognizance,” he warned.
Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, also expressed concern over the growing trend of claims on mosques and dargahs. He noted that a court in Rajasthan had issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs in response to the petition. “We are in touch with our legal team. These incidents are on the rise and are harmful to our society,” Chishty stated.
He appealed to the Indian government to intervene, proposing the creation of new laws and guidelines to prevent the further rise of such claims. “Ajmer has a history of 850 years… A new law should be made to protect our religious institutions,” Chishty said.
The controversy also ties into a broader issue seen earlier this month, when a survey team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, and was met with opposition from anti-social elements. This survey, conducted as part of a legal process following a petition, claimed the mosque was originally a temple.