Court Admits Petition Claiming Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple at Ajmer Sharif Dargah

A lower court in Ajmer has admitted a petition filed by Vishnu Gupta, National President of the Hindu Sena, claiming that the Sankat Mochan Mahadev temple is located within the premises of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The case has raised questions about the historical origins of the revered site, sparking discussions about religious heritage and cultural identity.

Court issues notice

Civil Judge Manmohan Chandel, presiding over the case, found the petition admissible and issued notices to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Dargah Committee Ajmer, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). These parties have been asked to respond to the petition before the next hearing, scheduled for December 20.

Historical Claims and References

The petition draws heavily on a 1911 book titled Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive by retired judge Harvilas Sharda. According to the book, debris from an ancient Shiva temple was allegedly used in constructing the dargah. The petition also suggests that a Jain temple exists within the sanctum sanctorum of the site.

Vishnu Gupta further claimed that Hindu architectural elements are visible around the dargah, particularly carvings on the Buland Darwaza. He urged the ASI to investigate the site for signs of water sources, which are typically found near Shiva temples.

Evidence supporting claim of temple submitted

Advocate Ramswaroop Bishnoi, representing Gupta, emphasized that the 38-page petition contains substantial evidence supporting the claim of a Shiva temple at the site. He cited architectural similarities and historical texts, drawing parallels to other disputed religious sites, such as Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh and BAnaras. The petition calls for an ASI survey to investigate these claims further.

One key reference in the petition is the assertion that parts of the 75-foot-high Buland Darwaza were constructed using materials from the temple. Additionally, it mentions that a Brahmin family once worshipped at the site, where a Shivling was reportedly located.

Dargah Committee strongly denies the claims

The Dargah Committee has strongly denied the claims. Syed Sarwar Chishti, secretary of Anjuman Syed Jadgan, an organization representing the khadims (caretakers) of the dargah, emphasized the dargah’s role in promoting unity and pluralism. He highlighted that the dargah is revered by followers from Afghanistan to Indonesia.

“Such acts are against communal harmony and the nation,” Chishti said. He criticized what he termed the targeting of historic mosques, referencing similar disputes in Kashi and Mathura.

Chishti also expressed discontent with recent legal changes, implying that former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud’s amendments contributed to these challenges. “This is the garib nawaz dargah, and it will remain so in the future,” he asserted.

As the case progresses, it is poised to reignite debates on religious heritage, historical claims, and communal harmony. The court's decision to admit the petition has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse around India's historical religious sites. The next hearing on December 20 will be closely watched by various stakeholders, as it could have broader implications for similar disputes across the country.