Latest news with #Khadims
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
2nd collapse at Ajmer Dargah triggers public outcry over safety concerns
1 2 3 Jaipur: A portion of the ceiling at one of the structures at Ajmer Dargah collapsed during rain Tuesday evening, marking the second such incident in just 14 days at one of India's most revered Sufi shrines. The repeated structural failures during the monsoon season raised serious questions over the maintenance and management of the 800-year-old site. Authorities connected to the shrine, which falls under the direct supervision of the ministry of minority affairs through the Dargah Committee, have come under fire for alleged gross negligence. Community members said that warnings about the deteriorating condition of the Dargah were ignored. They further claimed that the committee not only failed to initiate repairs but also denied permission to donors willing to fund restoration efforts for the past five years. AIMIM national president Asaduddin Owaisi termed the situation "a textbook case of bad governance" and announced plans to raise the issue in Parliament. "How can the govt justify such negligence at a site that sees nearly 20,000 visitors daily?" he questioned, while talking to TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Adding to the criticism, Rajasthan Congress chief whip Rafeek Khan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the back-to-back collapses clear signs of administrative failure. "Offering a chadar at the Dargah by PM Modi each year is a tradition but safeguarding the shrine is both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility," Khan wrote. The Congressman demanded strict action against Dargah Nazim Bilal Khan and his aides, Mohammad Shadab and Mohammad Adil, holding them accountable for what he described as gross negligence. Repeated attempts by TOI to contact Dargah Nazim for a response went unanswered. Khan also called for an urgent inspection of the site by the ministry of minority affairs, immediate structural repairs and an independent safety audit to prevent further mishaps. "It is a blatant disregard for crores of devotees that the Dargah Committee, which has the duty to run the affairs, has not been constituted for the past three years by the Modi govt," said Khan. Syed Sarwar Chishty, secretary of the Anjuman (body of Khadims), went a step further, calling the govt's control over the Dargah an "illegal occupation." Chishty alleged that repeated requests to the Dargah Committee for repairs have fallen on deaf ears. "Many structures have severe water seepage and the risk of further collapses is high," he warned. The Anjuman secretary said Khadims are now personally monitoring the condition of various parts of the shrine and urging devotees to remain cautious. On July 2, a wall near Baba Farid's hujra (prayer room) fell when heavy rains lashed Ajmer. Just 14 days later, section of a roof at another structure gave way. In 2020, a large 10-feet tall ceremonial lamp (chirag) also fell inside the Dargah, narrowly avoiding a tragedy due to COVID-19 restrictions that reduced the crowd size at the time.
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Portion of building on Ajmer Dargah premises collapses, Centre blamed for ‘neglect'
A small portion of a building within the Ajmer Dargah Sharif premises collapsed on Wednesday after heavy rain, raising safety concerns for visitors during the ongoing Chhoti Urs festival. The incident took place around 2 PM, shortly after the afternoon prayers, when the rain impacted the already deteriorating structure. Members of the Dargah Khadim Committee blamed the Central government for 'neglecting the maintenance of the historic religious site'. According to Syed Sarwar Chishti, secretary of the Dargah Anjuman Committee — a body representing hereditary Khadims (priests)—the condition of the building has worsened due to prolonged inaction and corruption within the Dargah Committee, a government-constituted body responsible for the upkeep of the premises. Chishti alleged that the post of Nazim, a key administrative officer of the Dargah Committee, remained vacant for three years until the recent appointment and that even today, positions of nine committee members remain vacant. 'There is so much corruption. Neither does the committee do anything, nor do they let us work. The building is one step away from a disaster, especially during monsoon,' he said. He pointed out that water seeped into Khwaja Saheb's dargah and that a small portion of a hut near Shah Jani Masjid near Chhabili Gate collapsed. Responding to the allegations, Mohammad Bilal Khan, the recently appointed Nazim, a retired DIG of the Border Security Force (BSF), acknowledged the structural issues. He said that repair and maintenance work is already underway and that he had recently held a meeting with Khadims to address their concerns. 'Today's incident was caused by sudden heavy rainfall. There is a seepage issue as the building is very old, but the government is taking care of the matter,' Khan said, adding that several plans will soon be implemented to improve the condition of the shrine.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi HC hints at staying CAG audit of Ajmer Dargah over lack of transparency
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has indicated that it may stay the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Justice Sachin Datta observed that the Dargah management committee had not been provided with the terms of the audit. 'I am considering halting the audit. The counsel for the Dargah has made his position clear, stating that they should have been given the opportunity to present their concerns, but this has not been done because the terms of the audit have not been shared with them. You should reconsider your actions,' said Justice Datta. The Court set the matter for further hearing on May 7, after the CAG's counsel requested additional time to seek instructions. The remark came during the hearing of a petition filed by the Ajmer Dargah, managed by the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah Trust, challenging the CAG audit. The Dargah's counsel argued that, according to media reports, the President had approved the audit and that two officials had been appointed to carry it out. The counsel highlighted that under Section 20 of The Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers And Conditions Of Service) Act, 1971, the terms of the audit must be formally served to the Dargah, allowing it the opportunity to raise objections. However, the counsel pointed out that this procedure had not been followed. News reports indicate that the CAG intends to audit two Anjumans (associations) of Khadims, who are the hereditary custodians of the Dargah responsible for its daily operations. The audit is expected to cover the last five financial years. The initiative follows allegations regarding the misuse of funds received from foreign donations.
