For Modi’s birthday, a sweet rice announcement and a bitter rift at Ajmer Dargah

Secretary Anjuman Syedzadgan Khadims Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, Syed Sarwar Chishty said that organizing a feast in Dargah has been a tradition but this is for the first time a politician’s birthday is being planned in this manner.

“We are not against birthday celebrations or organizing feasts as the food is distributed among the needy, but we are against politicising the issue. The celebration has been planned by some Khadims who want to reap political benefit from the BJP. I am sure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must not be aware of this event. Organizing such an event at the Dargah will politicise the stance of Dargah which has always been a secular place for people from all walks of life,” said Sarwar Chishty.

When asked if any political celebration could be organised inside the Dargah premises, Sarwar Chishty straight forward refused and said that no political event should be held inside the Dargah.

“If any politician is willing to donate for a feast at the Dargah, he/she is welcome. But this particular event is being organized by someone who is just trying to fulfill his political ambition,” claimed Sarwar Chishty.

Ajmer Dargah’s Gaddinashin Syed Afsan Chishty who is organising the feast said he was not directly told by anyone in the Dargah committee that he could not organise a feast on PM’s birthday.

“Indian Minorities and Chishti Foundation have decided to organise a langar to mark the PM’s birthday. We are organizing a feast for the needy and there is no political angle to this. Modi is the Prime Minister of the nation not to a particular community. It should be seen as a symbol of peace and brotherhood,” maintained Afsan Chishty.

About 15 volunteers will be employed for this. Raw materials will be collected a day before the birthday. This is the first time a langar will be organized at the dargah on a PM’s birthday at the Dargah.

The announcement to celebrate PM’s birthday came a day after the Dargah administration decided to hold a two-day awareness camp against the Wakf Amendment Act, 2024. On September 12 and 13, the camp was planned to educate people about the consequences of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and how it will impact minority rights.

A Dargah Khadim, on condition of anonymity, said: “There is a division in the Dargah administration. The one organising the camp against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is against the BJP and the one organising the PM’s birthday celebration is in support of BJP. Ironically, Ajmer Dargah does not come under the Waqf Board, so, why should we worry about it. Instead of being politically neutral, which the Dargah has been till now, this political game is going to destroy our secular culture. This will only benefit the politicians.”

Everyday, thousands of pilgrims donate money, jewellery, sugar, rice and dry fruits, according to their faith, and that money is utilised to contribute to the langar.