Hindu Sena Chief Vishnu Gupta made claims that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah is actually a Shiva temple and not a Sufi shrine. The local court in Ajmer issued notices to the concerned parties after Gupta filed a petition seeking a survey of the shrine. He cited the writings of author Har Bilas Sarda, who claimed that a Hindu temple existed below the dargah, and called for a truth to be revealed through a survey. The Hindu outfit wants the dargah to be declared a Hindu temple and for permission to pray there, stirring up controversy ahead of the upcoming 813th Urs celebrations.
Ajmer Dargah Controversy: Claims of Hindu Temple Stirs Debate
Background
The Ajmer Dargah Sharif, a revered Sufi shrine in Rajasthan, has become the center of a legal battle following claims that it is a Hindu temple. The controversy erupted after Vishnu Gupta, the chief of the Hindu Sena, filed a petition in an Ajmer court seeking a survey of the shrine. Gupta alleges that a Hindu temple exists beneath the dargah and demands that it be declared as such.
Gupta's petition cites the writings of Har Bilas Sarda, a historian who claimed that a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu stood on the site before the construction of the dargah. Sarda's theory is based on the discovery of Sanskrit inscriptions and other artifacts suggesting a Hindu presence in the area.
Hindu Sena's Claims
The Hindu Sena claims that the dargah was built over the ruins of a Hindu temple and that the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who is revered at the shrine, was actually a Hindu ascetic. They argue that the dargah should be returned to the Hindu community and that Hindus should be allowed to pray there.
Local Court's Response
The local court in Ajmer has issued notices to the concerned parties and has scheduled a hearing for April 18, 2023, to consider the petition. The Dargah Committee has denied the Hindu Sena's claims and has vowed to defend the sanctity of the shrine.
Controversy Surrounding Urs Celebrations
The claims by the Hindu Sena have stirred up controversy ahead of the upcoming 813th Urs celebrations, an annual festival that attracts millions of devotees to the dargah. The Hindu outfit's demand for permission to pray at the shrine has raised concerns among the Muslim community.
FAQs
1. What is the basis for the claim that the Ajmer Dargah is a Hindu temple?
The claim is based on the writings of historian Har Bilas Sarda, who suggests that a Hindu temple existed on the site before the construction of the dargah.
2. What evidence supports the Hindu Sena's claims?
The Hindu Sena cites Sanskrit inscriptions and other artifacts as evidence of a Hindu presence at the site.
3. How has the Dargah Committee responded to the claims?
The Dargah Committee has denied the claims and has vowed to defend the sanctity of the shrine.
4. What is the significance of the upcoming Urs celebrations in this controversy?
The Hindu Sena's claims have stirred up controversy ahead of the upcoming Urs celebrations, which attract millions of devotees to the dargah.
5. What is the likely outcome of the court case?
The outcome of the court case is uncertain. However, it is likely to have a significant impact on the ongoing debate over the religious identity of the Ajmer Dargah.
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