Latest news with #DargahKhwajaSahebAct
New Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Notice by Ajmer Dargah evading responsibility in case of accidents angers Muslim organisations
JAIPUR: A recent notice issued by the Nazim—an officer appointed by the state government—of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah has sparked sharp criticism from several Muslim organizations and members of the public. The notice, dated July 21 and digitally signed by Nazim Mohammad Belal Khan, warns pilgrims about the potential risks posed by old structures within the dargah complex. It further states that the administration will not be legally responsible in case of any accidents. The timing of the notice has intensified the backlash, as preparations are currently underway for the 814th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, an annual event that draws lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. The Muslim Progressive Federation called the notice "shameful" and "a fall of responsibility." In a strongly worded letter to the Nazim, Federation president Abdul Salam Johar condemned the disclaimer. 'It is unacceptable to issue such a disclaimer at a place of collective spiritual importance,' he wrote. Echoing this sentiment, Rajasthan Muslim Alliance president Mohsin Rashid termed it a "dereliction of duty" and emphasized that 'Ajmer Sharif is not a tourist spot but a deeply revered religious site. Such negligence cannot be justified.' The notice quickly went viral on social media, triggering widespread anger. Many users demanded that the notice be withdrawn and urged the administration to implement immediate safety measures. Some also called on the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to step in if the Nazim fails to take appropriate action. As of now, no official statement has been issued by the Nazim's office in response to the criticism. Amid growing concerns, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, drawing attention to the deteriorating condition of the world-renowned Ajmer Dargah. The Board has cited serious safety issues and administrative apathy, invoking the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi High Court directs CAG to take instructions regarding audit proposals for Ajmer Dargah
The Delhi High Court Monday asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to 'take instructions' while orally expressing that the court is 'inclined to stay the audit' initiated by CAG of a registered society representative of the khadims or hereditary priests at Ajmer Dargah. Justice Sachin Datta was dealing with a request for an early hearing of a petition moved by Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chishtiya Khuddam Khwaja Sahib Syedzadgan and Shakhzadgan, two registered societies and representative bodies of hereditary priests who carry out traditional and religious activities at the Ajmer dargah. The petitioners said they are not the administrators of the properties, assets or funds of the dargah estate. The dargah already has a committee under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, constituted by the Centre, for the management of the estate. The petitioners said they only receive charitable contributions and do not receive any grant or fund from the government, and thus there is no ground for CAG to audit their accounts, which is otherwise a private registered society. The petition was moved for an early hearing where the petitioners sought that CAG be restrained from conducting an audit of the society, highlighting that it would be in utter contravention of the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971. As per the petitioners, the mandatory statutory procedure for such audits, as set out in Section 20 of the CAG Act, stipulates that the ministry concerned should send a communication to CAG. The communication should seek to have the petitioner society audited by CAG, the terms and conditions based on which the audit should be conducted, be agreed upon between CAG and the ministry concerned, and subsequently the said terms and conditions be served on the petitioner, following which the petitioner is entitled to make a representation to ministry concerned. It also requires, first, the President's or Governor's assent before the terms of audit are agreed to. While considering the early hearing application, and addressing CAG's counsel, Justice Datta orally remarked, 'I'm inclined to stay the audit. You'd better clarify your stand and take instructions on what you're doing. His point is very clear. He has a right to representation. First, you have to agree to the terms otherwise [Section] 20C (of the CAG Act) is very difficult. The occasion has not arisen. He hasn't been served even with the order.' The petitioners highlighted before the court that a committee has been formed for the audit, and is making the pending petition infructuous, despite receiving no presidential assent before issuance of notice. A notice was issued on March 15, 2024, by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, upon instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), notifying the khadims of the audit, 'to improve the administration and management of Dargah affairs at Ajmer'. The notice was challenged before the Delhi High Court, and during its pendency, CAG moved on with the audit, with the Ministry of Finance notifying that it had received presidential assent for the audit, and a committee had been formed for the same.
