New Delhi: Congress MP and prominent poet Imran Pratapgarhi has submitted a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha to address concerns over a petition questioning the historical identity of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the recent communal violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, reports the Times of India.
Pratapgarhi invoked Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedure, urging the suspension of Zero Hour and Question Hour to deliberate on these pressing issues. “The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a cornerstone of India’s composite culture and heritage,” he stated, adding that the petition challenging its historical identity has sparked anxiety among citizens.
The MP also linked the issue to the November 24 violence in Sambhal, where clashes erupted following a court-ordered survey of a mosque. The survey, claimed by some to be over alleged historical ties to a Hindu temple, resulted in the deaths of four people and left many others injured.
Highlighting these incidents as part of a “disturbing pattern of rising tensions,” Pratapgarhi stressed the need for promoting harmony and brotherhood among all citizens, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional divides. “This House must deliberate on the broader implications of such incidents to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring social harmony,” he urged.
The Ajmer Sharif petition, which alleges the Dargah was built over a Shiva temple, has led to legal proceedings. A court in Ajmer has issued notices to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ajmer Dargah Committee, and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The Sambhal violence stemmed from public opposition to the court-mandated mosque survey, which escalated into a violent confrontation. The incident underscores growing tensions linked to disputed historical and religious sites, a pattern that threatens India’s social fabric, according to Pratapgarhi.
The Congress MP’s notice underscores the urgency of addressing such sensitive matters to preserve communal harmony and national unity.
