Case In SC: Hindutva Groups Want To Block PM Modi’s Ajmer Sharif Visit Over ‘Shiva Temple’ Claim.

Supreme Court to Consider Plea Seeking Bar on PM Modi’s Ajmer Sharif Visit on December 26, Including the Offering of a Chadar by the Government.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Dec 24, 2025:: A legal challenge has emerged ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed religious observance at the Ajmer Sharif dargah, with the Supreme Court scheduled to consider a related plea on December 26. The petition, brought by individuals aligned with Hindutva organisations, seeks to prevent the Prime Minister from offering the traditional ceremonial chadar at the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti.

The petitioners contend that the Prime Minister’s act of offering a chadar would adversely affect an ongoing civil dispute in Rajasthan, where Hindu claimants are seeking control of the Ajmer Sharif site. Their argument is based on the assertion that the dargah was constructed over the remains of a demolished Shiva temple dediacated to Shri Sankatmochan Mahadev Virajman, and that official participation by the Prime Minister could prejudice Hindu litigants’ claims in the matter.

On Monday, counsel Barun Kumar Singh, appearing for Vishwa Vedica Sangathan president Jitender Singh and Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, made an oral request before the Supreme Court for immediate listing of the plea. The request was raised during the morning mentioning session, with Singh urging the court to hear the matter the same day to secure a stay on the Prime Minister’s proposed offering.

“This concerns the offering of a chadar by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the Ajmer Sharif dargah,” Singh submitted, adding that failure to halt the act would “cause prejudice to the plaintiff” in the Rajasthan civil proceedings.

However, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to grant an urgent hearing. Chief Justice Kant made it clear that no matter would be listed on the same day merely on oral mentioning, emphasising that all requests for urgent listing must undergo scrutiny by the Supreme Court registry.

“You will have to follow the procedure. Every mentioning request has to be examined by the registry,” Justice Kant stated.

Nevertheless, the bench allowed the petitioners the liberty to file a formal application seeking urgent listing through the registry. The court indicated that, subject to procedural compliance, the plea could be considered on December 26. Singh also requested that the matter be taken up on December 29, when a vacation bench would be in session, but the court reiterated that proper filing was a prerequisite.

During the hearing, Singh informed the court that a civil court in Rajasthan had already issued notices to the Union government, the Archaeological Survey of India, and certain local authorities in connection with a complaint filed by Vishnu Gupta. He further alleged that the Ajmer Sharif shrine had been established by foreign invaders and argued that official acts of reverence by government representatives violated India’s constitutional values, dignity, and sovereignty.

The petition also challenges what it describes as continued State-sponsored ceremonial honours and official patronage extended to Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, claiming such practices to be unconstitutional. Filed through advocate M.G. Anantha Narayana, the plea asserts that historical accounts suggest Moinuddin Chishti arrived in India during the invasions led by Shahabuddin Ghori in the 12th century and allegedly assisted invading forces in subjugating indigenous rulers. The petition further claims that Chishti later adopted the role of a Sufi mystic and that his dargah was institutionalised long after his death.

According to the petitioners, glorifying and officially endorsing a figure whom they allege was associated with foreign invasions and religious conversion efforts undermines national dignity, distorts historical truth, and erodes cultural integrity. They argue that such State actions violate Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, and 51A of the Constitution and lack any legal or constitutional justification.

Consequently, the petition seeks an order restraining the Government of India, including the Prime Minister, from offering ceremonial tributes such as the chadar at the Ajmer Sharif dargah. The plea asserts that these practices run contrary to the will of the people, national sovereignty, and the ethos of the Indian Constitution.

The challenge comes against the backdrop of a long-standing tradition. Since Independence, successive Prime Ministers have customarily offered a ceremonial chadar at the Ajmer Sharif dargah during the annual Urs festival, which commenced on Monday. The petition claims that this practice was initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947.

In line with this tradition, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju offered a chadar at Ajmer Sharif on Monday on behalf of the central government, according to a report by PTI.

The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to take up the plea on December 26 will determine whether the petitioners’ constitutional and historical objections receive judicial consideration before any visit or ceremonial offering by the Prime Minister.

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_Inputs from PTI.