Is there a Shiva Temple within the Ajmer Dargah complex?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The petition claims a Shiva temple exists within the Ajmer Dargah complex.
- Significant public support is reflected through 1.25 lakh affidavits.
- The court has scheduled a hearing for February 21.
- A similar petition has been previously filed regarding another temple.
- The case has implications for the intersection of faith and heritage.
Jaipur, Jan 19 (NationPress) A legal petition has been lodged in an Ajmer court, asserting that a Shiva temple is situated within the Ajmer Dargah complex. The court accepted the plea for consideration on Monday and has sent out notifications to all relevant parties.
The subsequent hearing is set for February 21.
Rajvardhan Singh Parmar, who serves as the National President of the Maharana Pratap Sena, has put forth claims regarding the existence of a Shiva temple on the Dargah grounds.
This petition was submitted to the Ajmer Civil Court by Rajvardhan Singh Parmar, represented by Supreme Court advocate Dr. A.P. Singh.
Dr. Singh noted that the court recognized Rajvardhan Singh Parmar as the main petitioner, citing a representation he made to the President of India back in 2022. This prior petition was included in the court’s proceedings, leading to its formal admission.
The petition alleges that a Shivling of Lord Mahadev is located within the dargah area and claims that ancient worship practices occurred there. The petitioner has included maps, survey data, photographs, and various documents as corroborative evidence.
Dr. Singh added that should the court require additional evidence, further documentation will be provided.
The Rajasthan government, the Archaeology Department, and the Dargah Committee have been named as respondents, and notifications have been dispatched to all involved parties.
Parmar stated that approximately 1.25 lakh affidavits have been submitted to the court, gathered through a statewide outreach initiative across Rajasthan.
In response to the court's ruling, Rajvardhan Singh Parmar expressed that the acknowledgment of his petition as the primary one is significant, stemming from his earlier representation in 2022. He conveyed confidence in the judicial process and assured that the organization would fully cooperate with the court.
He also highlighted that the Maharana Pratap Sena had previously organized a statewide march, garnering substantial public support for the petition.
It is worth mentioning that a similar petition was submitted on November 27, 2024, by Vishnu Gupta, who is the National President of the Hindu Sena, alleging the presence of a Sankat Mochan Mahadev temple at the same location.
This earlier petition was also accepted by the court, with notices being issued to the Dargah Committee and other stakeholders.
A related motion filed by the Dargah Committee is scheduled for discussion on February 21. Both matters will be addressed together in the Ajmer Civil Court on the next hearing date.