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Journalism of Courage
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s desire to visit the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer has become hostage to unforeseen circumstances but hectic efforts are underway to ensure that he gets to pay homage at the shrine.
The bandobast was all sorted out till it was known that April 16, the day the Pakistan President was slated to visit Ajmer, coincides with a special day for prayers when followers throng the shrine in large numbers.
While indications are that the problem may be sorted out, the Rajasthan government is insisting that Musharraf visits the dargah at 4 p.m. This is not suitable as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has a dinner planned for him the same evening.
Under fire from their President for not being able to anticipate this, the Pakistan High Commission is pressing for a slot on April 16. It was suggested that Musharraf can visit the dargah on his way back on Monday but, as it turns out, the Pakistan President is scheduled to fly to The Philippines directly from here.
On Wednesday, the State Government summoned the Ajmer administration to Jaipur to discuss security arrangements for the President’s visit. Sources said the authorities suggested that Musharraf visit either after 4 pm on April 16 or come on April 18. ‘‘The devotees would offer special prayers by 10 am. We are planning to evacuate them soon after this,’’ sources said. Another problem is the crowded lanes that lead to the Dargah. ‘‘The lanes are packed with outsiders on the day of this festival. Unidentified men could be a security threat,’’ sources said.
Confusion consumed much of today with the dargah finally agreeing to host Musharraf at 1 p.m. but the Rajasthan government says the time is not enough for them to sanitise the place because thousands of devotees would have gathered there for better part of the forenoon.
‘‘Thousands of devotees are expected to come to the shrine on Saturday. It would be difficult to get the dargah evacuated when Musharraf visits Ajmer,’’ official sources said.
But since Pakistani has informed that the plans can’t be changed, the district Administration is trying its best to ensure that Musharraf’s long-standing wish does not remain unfulfilled because of security or logistical considerations.
In 2001, Musharraf had failed to visit the dargah after his talks with then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Agra ended abruptly.
WHY APRIL 16 IS SPECIAL
According to the Dargah Anjuman (the committee that manages the dargah), the exact date of the demise of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti is an 850-year-old a mystery. Before his death, the Khwaja closed his room, directing his followers that he should not be disturbed. When the room did not open, the worried followers opened the door on the sixth day, only to find that the saint had died.
‘‘Since the exact day of his death is not known, the Khwaja’s urs is held for six days. Moreover, every month, on the sixth day of the lunar calendar, special prayers are offered to the saint by repentant followers,’’ S F Hassan Chisty, Gaddi Nasheen khadim of the dargah, said. In April, this day coincides with Musharraf’s visit.
