The Ajmer Civil Court has deemed fit for hearing a petition filed by Vishnu Gupta, National President of Hindu Sena, asserting that the site of Ajmer’s Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah originally housed a Shiva Mandir, Sankat Mochan Mahadev. Based on the reports from Dainik Bhaskar, on Wednesday, the court acknowledged the claim and issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The next hearing in this significant case has been scheduled for December 20, 2024.
The claim is rooted in historical references, including a book authored by Har Vilas Sharda in 1911, which mentions the presence of a Mandir on the land where the dargah now stands. The petition further states that the Mandir was a site of worship and Jalabhishek rituals dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. It also alleges that debris from the original Mandir was used in constructing the 75-foot-tall Buland Darwaza within the dargah premises.
Evidence presented includes references to a sanctum sanctorum in the basement of the site and architectural elements suggesting a pre-existing Hindu Mandir. The Hindu Sena’s efforts highlight their aim to reclaim the historical and spiritual significance of the site for the Hindu community.
Petition’s journey through the courts
Based on the reports from OpIndia, initially, the petition was brought before the Chief Judicial Magistrate but was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. Subsequently, it was presented in the district court, which accepted the case for hearing. The court’s acknowledgment of the petition has reignited the discourse around the historical claims of Mandir demolitions and the conversion of Hindu religious sites during earlier invasions.
Reactions to the petition
The claim has faced sharp criticism from the Dargah Committee and Islamic representatives. Syed Naseeruddin Chishti, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanshin Council and a successor of the spiritual head of the Ajmer Dargah, condemned the Hindu Sena’s plea as provocative. He stated that the council would strongly oppose the move and defend the sanctity of the dargah.
Despite opposition, the Hindu side remains firm in its belief that the dargah site was once a revered Mandir of Bhagwan Shiva. This petition is seen as part of a larger effort to reclaim Hindu heritage and address historical grievances of desecration and erasure.
The case holds profound implications for the discourse on Bharat’s religious history. The petition emphasizes the need for a fair and thorough investigation into the site’s past, calling upon the ASI to examine the evidence presented. If substantiated, this case could add to the growing list of claims regarding Hindu Mandirs being replaced by other religious structures. This incident reflects the ongoing Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, where the ASI discovered a shivaling within the mosque premises.
The court’s decision to hear this petition represents a positive step towards addressing historical injustices faced by the Hindu community. For centuries, Mandirs and sacred spaces have faced destruction, conversion, or neglect, leaving a scar on the cultural and spiritual fabric of Hindu Dharma. Cases like this not only seek to reclaim lost heritage but also ensure that future generations are aware of their rich history.
