Ajmer Sharif Dargah: AIMPLB Urges Supreme Court to Enforce Places of Worship Act Amid Mosque Claim Disputes
Ajmer Sharif Dargah: Amid rising legal battles over mosque and dargah claims, the AIMPLB has called on the Supreme Court to enforce the Places of Worship Act. The Board's call follows a local court’s decision to entertain a claim that Ajmer Sharif Dargah houses a Shiva temple, sparking controversy. AIMPLB emphasized that such claims are baseless under the 1991 Act, which prohibits any changes to the status of religious places prior to India’s independence.
This responsibility of enforcement of such law was cast upon both central and state governments in the hope that they could work to bring about prevention of any probable upheaval or explosive situations in different corners of the country. Should they not implement it, warned AIMPLB, great unrest may break out which would come upon the SC and government themselves.
Syed Qasim Ilyas, spokesperson AIMPLB expressed deep concern over the number of claims that are being made in courts across the country on mosques and dargahs. He said these claims were absolutely baseless and were mockery both of law and Constitution. He reasserted that under the Places of Worship Act no claim can alter the status of any religious place as it existed on August 15, 1947, and such claims should be dismissed.
Court notice on Ajmer Sharif Dargah claim
Recently, a local court issued a notice regarding a claim that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah houses a Shiva temple. The court agreed to hear the case and issued notices to the Ajmer Dargah Committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for their response.
