Rajasthan High Court Scrutinizes Ajmer Dargah Governance
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice to the Central and State governments regarding a plea that questions the administrative authority of the Ajmer Dargah panel and challenges the installation of CCTV cameras within its most sacred area. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) brings the governance and sanctity of the world-renowned Sufi shrine under judicial review.
The petition, filed by Sarwar Chishti, a khadim (hereditary caretaker) at the dargah, raises two significant concerns: the legitimacy of the current Dargah Committee and the appropriateness of electronic surveillance inside the Astana Sharif, the sanctum sanctorum.
Plea Challenges ‘Expired’ Ajmer Dargah Committee
At the core of the legal challenge is the claim that the Dargah Committee, the body tasked with managing the shrine under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act of 1955, is operating without a valid mandate. The petitioner argues that the committee’s term has expired, and the Central Government has failed to constitute a new one.
This alleged “governance vacuum” means the current panel’s decisions are legally questionable. The plea urges the High Court to direct the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to promptly appoint a new committee to oversee the shrine’s administration, finances, and pilgrim welfare. The petition contends that without a duly constituted panel, the management of one of India’s most significant pilgrimage sites is compromised.
Challenge to CCTV Cameras in Ajmer Dargah‘s Sanctum Sanctorum
The second issue raised in the plea addresses the sensitive matter of surveillance within the Astana Sharif, which houses the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The petition strongly objects to the presence of CCTV cameras in this holy space, arguing it infringes upon religious sanctity and the privacy of devotees.
The PIL states that the sanctum is a revered place for prayer and spiritual reflection, not for surveillance. It highlights that the cameras violate the privacy of pilgrims, especially women observing ‘purdah’. This part of the challenge to CCTV cameras brings forth a critical debate on balancing modern security needs against the preservation of centuries-old religious sentiments and traditions at the Ajmer Dargah.
Court Seeks Response from Government and Dargah Panel
By issuing the notice, the Rajasthan High Court has formally requested a response from all involved parties, including the Union Government, the Rajasthan Government, and the Ajmer Dargah panel itself. They must now present their legal standing on the issues raised in Sarwar Chishti’s petition.
The outcome of this case will be closely monitored, as it could set a precedent for how major religious institutions in India manage the intersection of administrative law, security protocols, and faith.
