Syed Naseeruddin Chishti
The plea by Hindu Sena, a Hindu group in a Rajasthan court urging the court to declare the Ajmer Dargah as belonging to Bhagwan Sankatmochan Mahadev Virajman, claiming it to be owned by Mahadev Virajman, has drawn condemnation from Syed Naseeruddin Chishti, chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanshin Council and successor to the spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah.
The petition claimed that the Dargah stands above the temple dedicated to Mahadev.
Chishti voiced his strong disapproval of the claim, describing it as an attempt to gain "cheap popularity" by targeting sacred religious sites. He emphasised that the Dargah has been historically respected by leaders from various eras, including the Mughal, Rajput, and Maratha periods.
He further noted that many figures from Sanatan Dharma have shown reverence for the Dargah over time, and the site's history cannot be disregarded on the basis of a single book published in 1911.
Chishti underlined that the Ajmer Dargah is a symbol of peace and cultural harmony, attracting not just Muslims but followers of all faiths. He criticised the Hindu Sena, which filed the suit, for fostering religious fanaticism, urging the government to issue guidelines to prevent such divisive actions.
Referencing a prior statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who questioned the need to find temples in mosques, Chishti expressed his agreement with Bhagwat's sentiment.
The lawsuit was initiated by Vishnu Gupta, president of the Hindu Sena, who is calling for the removal of the Dargah, claiming it was built over a Mahadeva Linga, and seeking the restoration of the Bhagwan Shri Sankatmochan Mahadev Temple on the site.