Rajasthan’s Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani has urged for an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination at the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra in Ajmer. This demand follows assertions from a group of Jain monks suggesting that a Sanskrit school and temple once stood at the site.
Devnani emphasized the importance of verifying the Jain delegation’s claims regarding the historical background of the location. He stated, “An ASI survey should immediately be done at Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra to find out whether the Jain delegates’ claim is true.”
The development unfolded after a delegation of Jain monks, accompanied by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), visited the monument on May 7. Sunil Sagar, a Jain monk leading the delegation, pointed out traces indicating the presence of a Sanskrit school and Jain temple in the past.
The demand for an ASI survey has sparked controversy, with differing opinions regarding the historical narrative of the site. BJP leader Neeraj Jain supported the call for a survey, alleging that the mosque at the location was built unlawfully, destroying a Sanskrit school.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, situated close to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, is a protected monument under the ASI. It holds historical significance, with claims suggesting it was initially a Hindu temple before being converted into a mosque during the Mughal era.
However, Syed Sarwar Chishti from the Ajmer Dargah Anjuman Committee criticized the Jain monks’ visit to the mosque, calling it “highly wrong.” Chishti questioned the visitors’ conduct and claimed they lacked proper evidence to support their assertions.
In response, Devnani defended the right of anyone, including Jain delegates and Hindus, to visit the site, as it is an ASI-protected monument. The controversy mirrors ongoing debates in India regarding historical narratives and religious heritage at various sites across the country.
The issue comes amidst similar claims by right-wing groups about the Ajmer Sharif Dargah’s history, highlighting broader discussions about cultural and religious identities in India’s historical context.