All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in light of the recent controversy surrounding the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan. This follows a Rajasthan court’s acceptance of a petition from the Hindu Sena, which claims that the dargah was originally a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In a press conference, Owaisi emphasized the historical significance of the dargah, noting that it has stood for over 800 years and has been recognized by various Prime Ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, who sent “chadars” to the site. “The dargah has been there for the last 800 years. During the Mughal era, Emperor Akbar contributed to its construction. Later, when the British took over, they made significant additions. Prime Ministers, including PM Modi, have honored the dargah with ‘chadars.’ Why are the BJP and RSS spreading hatred regarding mosques and dargahs?” Owaisi questioned.
He further criticized the lower courts for seemingly ignoring the Places of Worship Act, which aims to maintain the status of religious sites as they were on August 15, 1947. “Why are the lower courts not upholding the Places of Worship Act? They have made the Ministry for Minority Affairs a party in this case. What will the Modi government say about this? If this continues, where will it stop? What about the rule of law and democracy?” he asked.
Owaisi expressed concern that the governance of Modi and the RSS is undermining social harmony and the rule of law in the country. He pointed to recent violence in Sambhal, where five people lost their lives, as evidence of the deteriorating situation. “This is not in favor of the country. The governance of Modi and RSS is weakening brotherhood and the rule of law. They will have to answer for this,” he stated.
Congress MP Imran Masood also weighed in, urging PM Modi to address the situation regarding the Ajmer Sharif Dargah and calling for the Supreme Court to take notice. He accused the Union government of neglecting the Places of Worship Act and warned that such incidents could ignite widespread unrest. “What is happening? The PM should look into this matter. Where do you want to sideline a whole community? You are not leaving their religious places and properties. Will you burn the whole nation for political gain?” Masood said.
Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, confirmed that the Ajmer court has issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs in response to the petition claiming a Shiva temple exists within the dargah. Chishty criticized the increasing number of claims on mosques and dargahs, stating, “These incidents are on the rise in the country. Every second day, we see groups claiming mosques and dargahs. This is not in the interest of our society and country.”
Chishty called for government intervention and the establishment of new laws and guidelines to prevent such claims on religious sites. “Ajmer has a history of 850 years. I appeal to the government of India to intervene. A new law should be made to protect religious organizations from such claims,” he urged.
Earlier this month, a survey team at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, faced stone-pelting from some individuals during a legal survey, which was part of a petition claiming the mosque was originally a temple.
