The Supreme Court of India refused to urgently list a petition seeking to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from offering a ceremonial 'chadar' at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
The Issue:
- The Petition: A plea was filed asking the Court to restrain the Prime Minister from offering a chadar at the tomb of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti during the annual Urs festival.
- The Argument: The petitioner's lawyer argued that there is a pending legal dispute regarding a "Sankat Mochan Mandir" at the site. They claimed that the government offering a chadar at a "disputed structure" could undermine the judicial process while the case is still being decided.
- Context: It was reported that Union Minister Kiren Rijiju was scheduled to offer the chadar on behalf of the Prime Minister, a tradition followed by past PMs as well.
What Happened in Court:
- The lawyer requested an urgent hearing before a vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
- The Decision: CJI Surya Kant declined the request, stating simply, "No listing today."
Legal Background:
Advertisement
This isn't the first time this issue has been raised. A similar plea was filed earlier in an Ajmer court by the Hindu Sena, alleging that the Dargah was built over a demolished Shiva temple. That suit is currently pending. The current petition before the Supreme Court appears to be connected to these ongoing claims about the site's history and religious status.