What’s Happening with the Ajmer Dargah Dispute?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vishnu Gupta has filed a petition to seal the disputed area of the Dargah.
- The case is scheduled for a hearing on October 17, 2025.
- Concerns about evidence destruction have been raised.
- CCTV surveillance is being requested for transparency.
- This dispute highlights the tensions around religious sites in India.
Jaipur, Oct 15 (NationPress) The ongoing conflict regarding the Ajmer Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple took a significant turn on Wednesday.
Vishnu Gupta, the National President of the Hindu Sena, has submitted a new petition in Ajmer Civil Court (West) No. 1, requesting the prompt sealing of the part of the Dargah complex where he claims a temple once stood. He also called for the installation of CCTV cameras to safeguard purported evidence.
In his petition, Gupta expressed concerns that ongoing activities in the disputed area might lead to the destruction or alteration of essential evidence, which could hinder a fair investigation.
He urged the court to protect the section of the site that allegedly features an engraving of Lord Shiva on a wall and is believed to house a Shivalinga.
The next court session for this case is set for October 17, 2025.
In a recent allegation, Vishnu Gupta accused the Ajmer Dargah Committee of trying to erase or damage religious symbols and artefacts under the pretext of renovation and repair.
He argued that these actions could jeopardize vital evidence potentially confirming the existence of the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple within the Dargah's premises.
“The court must act swiftly to avert evidence destruction and guarantee transparency through CCTV surveillance,” Gupta emphasized in his plea.
This dispute dates back to September 2024, when Gupta first approached the Ajmer Civil Court, claiming that the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple was located within the confines of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, one of India's most significant Sufi shrines.
The previous petition named the Dargah Committee of Khwaja Garib Nawaz, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as parties involved. The case is currently under judicial review, and this new petition has intensified the sensitivity surrounding the issue in Ajmer.