Criticism Mounts as Ajmer Dargah Issues Safety Disclaimer Regarding Unsecured Buildings, Sparks Controversy Among Muslim Communities
In a controversial move, the Nazim of Ajmer Dargah, Mohammad Belal Khan, issued a notice disowning responsibility for accidents caused by ageing structures within the shrine premises. The notice, dated July 21 and digitally signed by Khan, has sparked widespread anger and demands for improved safety and accountability.
The Ajmer Dargah, a revered religious site, is not just a tourist destination, and the controversy highlights its significance. The notice has provoked strong backlash and criticism from various Muslim organizations and community leaders.
The Muslim Progressive Federation, led by president Abdul Salam Johar, called the notice "shameful" and a "collapse of responsibility." Johar condemned issuing such a disclaimer at a site of mass spiritual significance, describing it as unacceptable and demanding accountability beyond disclaimers.
The Rajasthan Muslim Alliance, represented by Mohsin Rasheed or Rashid, termed the notice a "dereliction of duty." Rasheed emphasized that Ajmer Sharif is a deeply revered religious site and not a tourist spot. He argued that such negligence and disclaimers of responsibility cannot be justified.
Other groups, including the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, All India Muslim Council, and representatives from cities including Delhi and Hyderabad, have also condemned the notice, demanding its immediate withdrawal and appealing to the Ministry of Minority Affairs for intervention and investigation.
Community leaders and trustees of other major Muslim shrines, such as Sohail Khandwani from Mumbai’s Haji Ali Dargah, expressed dismay about the lack of specific identification of unsafe structures and absence of preventive measures like warning signs. They fear the notice would create fear among devotees rather than assurance or safety.
The notice has also triggered significant social media outrage, with calls for the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to enforce safety measures and remove the liability disclaimer if the administration does not act responsibly. As of the latest reports, the Nazim's office, specifically Mohammad Belal Khan, has not publicly responded to these criticisms.
The controversy surrounding the notice continues without a statement from the Nazim's office addressing the demands for safety measures and withdrawal of the disclaimer. The social media outrage serves as a call to action for the administration to prioritize safety at Ajmer Sharif, not just a tourist destination but a revered religious site.
- The controversy at Ajmer Dargah, a significant religious site in India, has extended to general-news, as community leaders and various Muslim organizations across cities like Delhi and Hyderabad demand the immediate withdrawal of the disclaimer.
- The notice from the Nazim of Ajmer Dargah, Mohammad Belal Khan, has spilled over to politics, with the Muslim Progressive Federation's president, Abdul Salam Johar, condemning it and calling for accountability beyond mere disclaimers.
- The Ajmer Dargah's ongoing controversy has also caught the attention of the sports and finance sectors, as social media users call for the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to enforce safety measures and hold the administration accountable, aiming for a safer environment for the millions of devotees who visit this revered religious site.
