Recently, the claim that even the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, Rajasthan, is an ancient Shiva Mandir has finally approached the doorsteps of the judiciary. Vishnu Gupta, the National President of the Hindu Sena, has filed a petition in the Civil Court of Ajmer requesting an archaeological survey of the Ajmer Dargah. As per the plea filed, historical facts imply that the Dargah has been built upon an ancient Hindu Mandir, and therefore, a due investigation in the matter should take place.
Speaking with Sonakshi Datta of GoaChronicle regarding the matter, Vishnu Gupta said, ‘We at Hindu Sena have filed the plea because it is, on the basis of historical facts, that we can say that the Dargah has been built upon a Hindu Mandir, Bhagwan Shri Sankat Mochan Mahadev Mandir.’
‘It is based on these very facts that we request our judiciary to look into the matter and direct an archaeological survey of the site to take place. What is of Hindus’, should return to the Hindus and remain with the Hindus’, added Gupta.
The Hindu Sena National President further said, ‘The Dargah committee is all worked up after we have filed the plea and they say we are insulting their Dargah. This is not the truth; we are simply asking for what is our right- a democratic and lawful probe into the matter. If there is no Mandir underneath, why oppose the archaeological survey? Let it happen and see what side gets vindicated legally.’
‘Hopefully, the judiciary will not get influenced by political pressure, and we will get to see the survey happening soon’, Vishnu remarked.
According to the historical texts mentioned in the court plea, there is no mention in contemporary records of the Dargah being built on an empty land. This implies that the Dargah was built by replacing an existing structure.
The Hindu Sena has claimed that there was an ancient Shiva Mandir that was destroyed by the Muslim invaders, after which the Dargah was constructed.
Reacting to the filing of the plea and the Hindu Sena’s claims, the Dargah Committee has reacted sharply and the heir of the Dargah Dewan, Syed Nasiruddin Chishti, said, ‘This plea and the claims are insulting and disrespectful towards our Dargah and Khwaja Sahab. This is our revered Dargah and that is the fact.’
‘The demand of an archaeological survey is absolutely wrong and condemnable’, added Chishti.
