Jaipur, December 05, 2024.
The raging controversy following claims of the existence of a Shiva temple beneath the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer has put a question mark over the longstanding tradition of top political leaders and diplomats offering ‘chadar’ at the shrine ahead of the annual Urs festival, which begins on Jan 2.
The claims stem from a petition filed by right-wing organisation Hindu Sena. Tensions rose last week after the Ajmer munsif court issued notices to the Union ministry of minority affairs, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Dargah committee on Nov 27, following the petition.
‘Ajmer dargah enhances India’s image’
Social media has since been flooded with debates and videos amplifying the issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has regularly offered ‘chadar’ to the shrine after he assumed office in 2014, continuing a legacy that dates back to the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Rajasthan’s chief ministers and governors, apart from official delegations from the govts of Pakistan and Bangladesh, traditionally sent offerings to the dargah during the annual Urs. The festival attracts lakhs of devotees from India and South Asia.
The matter is highly sensitive. A ‘chadar’ from PM Modi might provoke backlash from Hindutva groups as it could be seen as tacit support for the dargah, countering the petition,” a senior RSS leader said in Jaipur.
On Wednesday, the emergency response team (ERT) of the Rajasthan ATS conducted an inspection of the dargah and surrounding areas, including Khadim Mohalla, Jhalra Uppar, Ander Kot, and Dhai Din Ka Jhopra, causing panic among the locals. “The police claim it’s a routine exercise, but I have never seen such a large number of armed personnel marching through the area,” said Muzaffar Bharti, a member of the Dargah Mauraisi Amla (service clan).
Despite the stir the ERT created locally, officials on condition of anonymity said this was a “routine inspection” done every year. “This is to check internal security measures at all 10 gates,” An ERT official said.
Ajmer SP Vandita Rana also inspected the dargah region and directed officials to install CCTV cameras, scanners and take all security measures at all gates.
Official offerings from Pakistan and Bangladesh are traditionally vetted by the Indian govt before being presented at the shrine. However, the ongoing controversy raises questions about whether this year’s offerings and delegations from these nations will receive the usual clearances. “Given the situation, it will be interesting to see if the Union govt allows ‘chadar’ from Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are typically delivered by their high commissioners under tight security,” said a source.
‘Chadar’ offerings often come with messages from the heads of state of respective countries, a practice foreign relations experts refer to as “Dargah diplomacy”. India’s strained ties with its neighbours have further made the issue complex this year. Relations with Pakistan are at a near standstill, and recent incidents of hate crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh, coupled with the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, have further soured bilateral ties.
“The annual Urs, officially recognised by these govts, traditionally served as an opportunity for back-channel diplomacy. It would be prudent to continue this practice, even amid current tensions,” said Anuj Sharma, an expert in South Asian relations.
“Ajmer dargah plays a unique role in India’s cultural diplomacy, enhancing its image as a land of pluralism and shared heritage. This soft diplomatic aspect resonates even more strongly in today,” Sharma said.
