The Ajmer dargah, housing the tomb of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, is a revered site for South Asians, attracting followers from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. People from all corners of the subcontinent visit Ajmer to seek the saint’s favours, bridging divides of wealth, religion, and nationality. The rich leave their golf courses, pick up their Gucci bags and troop to the dargah, rubbing shoulders with the poor, who have spent years of savings to visit the saint’s grave.
Despite being a symbol of unity, the dargah is now embroiled in a controversy. Hindu Sena has filed a lawsuit claiming that Ajmer Sharif was built over a Shiva temple, a claim that threatens to disrupt the harmony fostered by this sacred site.
The dargah’s ability to integrate people of various faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, stands as a testament to the region’s multicultural spirit, which the lawsuit risks undermining.