Ajmer – The Ajmer Dargah, a revered Sufi shrine dedicated to Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, has now found itself at the center of a fresh dispute as the Hindu Sena claims the existence of a Shiva temple within its premises. This claim was formally presented in a petition filed before the CJM Court in Ajmer.

On September 25, in the absence of the CJM, the case was heard by the Senior Civil Judge and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate No. 2. During the proceedings, the judge directed that the petition should be filed in the appropriate court, citing jurisdictional concerns. The hearing was adjourned until October 10, with the petitioners planning to file a prayer before the District and Sessions Court, seeking the case’s transfer to the concerned court.

Petition Filed in Ajmer CJM Court

The petition was filed by Vishnu Gupta, National President of Hindu Sena, who asserted that an ancient temple dedicated to Sankat Mochan Mahadev exists within the Dargah complex. The petition, presented by Gupta alongside Delhi-based lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, calls for public recognition of the temple. Gupta cited historian Harbilas Sharda’s works as evidence of the temple’s existence and requested that the Dargah be officially declared as Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple, granting Hindus the right to worship there.

Additionally, the petition demands an archaeological survey of the site, claiming that foreign invaders demolished the original temple to establish the current shrine. This development has not only stoked communal tensions but also set the stage for a legal battle that could significantly impact the historical and cultural fabric of Ajmer.

Dargah Diwan's Successor Dismisses Hindu Sena’s Claims

Nusruddin Chishti, the successor of the Dargah Diwan, outrightly dismissed the claims made by Hindu Sena President Vishnu Gupta, calling them politically and communally motivated. Addressing the media, Chishti emphasized that the Ajmer Dargah is not just a center of faith for Indian Muslims but also for devotees worldwide. He pointed out that people from all religions have visited the shrine without any previous disputes.

Chishti labeled the claims as unfounded and accused those behind them of attempting to disrupt the syncretic Ganga-Jamuni culture that the shrine represents. He urged that restrictions be placed on individuals making such inflammatory claims to maintain communal harmony.