Ajmer’s famous Hotel Khadim will now be called Ajaymeru, Dargah Sharif’s caretaker calls it ‘BJP pattern’

Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, the MLA from Ajmer, had earlier directed the RTDC to change the name of the hotel, situated opposite the district collectorate, officials said.

The decision was criticised by the Khadims of Ajmer Dargah Sharif, with Gaddi Nashin Dargah Sharif, Ajmer Sarwar Chishty, saying that the BJP was trying to erase the city’s history.

“This is just a communal angle by the BJP and a pattern that can be seen across the country where the BJP is busy changing names. If they consider these names a symbol of slavery then they should destroy the Taj Mahal or Red Fort. It is just a way to do cheap politics,” said Chishty, who looks after Dargah Sharif.

The city is famous for the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, and clerics of a dargah are called ‘khadims’.

In a statement, Devnani said, “This hotel is a famous place of stay for tourists, officers, employees and the common people visiting Ajmer. Its name should also be associated with Ajmer’s ancient culture, identity and history. Ajmer was famous as Ajaymeru during the reign of Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan. Ajmer is named Ajaymeru in ancient Indian texts and history books. In such a situation, the hotel’s name should be Ajaymeru.”

According to the officials, Devnani has also suggested renaming the King Edward Memorial in Ajmer after Hindu philosopher Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

According to historians, Ajaymeru was named after the founder of Ajmer, Maharaja Ajayraj Chauhan. He laid the foundation of Ajaymeru in the 7th Century.