Ajmer Dargah trial, result of grave misstep: J&K political leaders

Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir reacted sharply on Thursday after a court in Rajasthan issued notices in a suit filed by Hindu groups, who claim there is a temple under the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

The court on Wednesday issued notices to various parties in the suit filed by Hindu groups claiming that there was a temple under the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer and seeking worship rights.

Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti in a statement made a scathing attack on the “dangerous trajectory of communal polarization triggered by a controversial judgment by a former head of India”.

Calling the ruling a serious misstep, she blamed it for allowing targeted surveys of minority religious sites, including mosques and shrines like the iconic Ajmer Sharif, despite the Supreme Court’s decision to maintain the status quo since 1947. The knock-on effects of this decision have already appeared, with the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a chilling consequence of the communal tensions it fueled,” she said.

After hearing the case filed by Vishnu Gupta, national president of the Hindu Sena, civil judge Manmohan Chandel issued notices to the Union ministry of minority affairs, the Ajmer Dargah Committee and the Archaeological Survey of India, which was also a party.

I can’t let politics dictate humanity: Mehbooba

Mufti took to X to express his concern, stating: “Thanks to a former President of India, a Pandora’s box has been opened, sparking a controversial debate on minority religious sites. Despite a Supreme Court ruling to maintain the status quo as it existed in 1947, its ruling paved the way for surveys of these sites, potentially increasing tensions between Hindus and Muslims. The recent violence in Sambhal is a direct result of this judgment. First mosques, and now Muslim shrines like Ajmer Sharif, are being targeted, potentially leading to more bloodshed. The question remains – who will take responsibility for perpetuating this communal violence reminiscent of the days of Partition?”

Mufti argued that this ruling conveniently aligns with the government’s divisive agenda, as minority communities are systematically isolated and their beliefs undermined. “We cannot let politics dictate our humanity. Today, they are Muslim shrines. Tomorrow, it could be any minority community. The flames of communalism do not discriminate once lit.”

Ajmer symbolizes spiritualism: alone

People’s Conference President and Handwara MP Sajad Gani Lone was equally upset over the process.

“Another shocker. The suit was filed in pursuit of a temple allegedly hidden somewhere in Ajmer Dargah Sharif. As we say goodbye to 2024, we are entering the age of artificial intelligence. It was the age of technology. And as Indians let’s be honest. I didn’t contribute to any technological revolution,” he told X.

He said India’s technological revolution was as users, not as inventors. “Our desire for invention seems to be invested in our obsession with inventing hidden temples.

And don’t make mistakes. A statistically significant part of the population applauds him. The more educated they are, the more temple seekers they tend to be,” he said.

He gave the example of Dubai in the late 90s and its current status. “What an oasis of tolerance and mutual respect Dubai has turned out to be. That’s how good it is. Literally every nationality is here and how orderly they live… And looking back at my own country. How I regressed. Electoral victories have come at a price, which has left this country soulless,” he said.

“Ajmer of all places symbolizes spiritualism. It is the destination of all faiths, where all converge, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. A unique faith and trust in the spiritual liberation of this great seat of spirituality,” he added.