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Islamabad: After the Babri Mosque incident, Ajmer Sharif has emerged as a new focal point in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ongoing efforts to establish temples on lands considered sacred by Muslims.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, a court in Ajmer has issued notices to the Archaeological Survey of India and the Modi government following a petition claiming that a Shiva temple exists within the Dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti. The Indian Supreme Court has intervened by halting such activities until further notice. Since Narendra Modi’s rise to power in 2014, the Hindutva ideology has gained momentum, contributing to deepening religious divides in India.
The BJP, in alignment with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has systematically marginalized Muslims, labeling them as outsiders. Across India, Muslim-owned properties and religious sites are being targeted under the guise of anti-encroachment drives, while the Waqf Amendment bill is seen as part of this broader initiative. The petition in Ajmer is viewed as part of a larger effort to reclaim Muslim heritage sites.
The consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya marked the beginning of this trend, which has persisted under the Modi administration with increased efforts by Hindutva groups to target sites like Ajmer Sharif. These actions are part of a broader campaign to reinterpret India’s history, portraying the country’s Muslim rulers as oppressors.
Muslim heritage sites in Ajmer and Sambhal face ongoing threats. The Modi government has shown tacit support for these actions, with little condemnation from the ruling party against such demolitions across the country. Policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) aim to marginalize Muslims further, particularly in Assam, where many face the risk of statelessness.
The destruction of Muslim heritage sites represents not just physical demolition but an effort to erase Muslim identity. Hindu extremists continue targeting mosques, madrassas, and dargahs, including the recent destruction of a 1,200-year-old mosque in Gujarat.
The growing influence of Hindutva ideologies is challenging India’s secular identity, and incidents of violence against Muslims have escalated. Pro-BJP media outlets have amplified hate speech, portraying Muslims as threats to unity and further normalizing violence and discrimination. Manipulation of judicial outcomes, as seen in the Babri Masjid and Gyanvapi cases, reflects a trend where the judiciary is seen to align with religious nationalism.
International bodies, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), have voiced concerns over India’s deteriorating human rights situation. The ongoing persecution of Muslims and other minorities calls for global attention to prevent India from descending into religious dictatorship.
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