New Delhi: A Hindu organisation on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the offering of a ceremonial ‘chadar’ on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, arguing that the act could prejudice Hindu devotees’ claim over the religious site.
The plea was mentioned before a Special Vacation Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for Hindu Sena, requested urgent listing of the matter, citing a pending legal dispute related to the site.
“We are seeking a stay on the offering of the ‘chadar’ at Ajmer Sharif Dargah by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our plea regarding Sankat Mochan Mandir there is already pending,” Sinha submitted before the court. However, the CJI declined the request for immediate hearing, stating that the matter would not be listed today.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is scheduled to offer the ‘chadar’ at the shrine on December 22 on behalf of the Prime Minister during the 814th annual Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti.
Hindu Sena had earlier filed a civil suit in an Ajmer court in November last year, claiming that the dargah was constructed over a pre-existing Hindu temple and seeking recognition of Hindu rights at the site.
Offering a ‘chadar’ at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah has long been a customary practice followed by Indian prime ministers across political lines as a gesture of respect during the annual Urs celebrations.
