India’s secular foundations being shaken: Mehbooba Mufti on Ajmer Dargah row

Jammu, Nov 29: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday strongly criticized a judgment by a former Chief Justice of India, alleging that it has the potential to create division and bloodshed in the country.

She expressed concern over the growing tensions across the nation and cited incidents that could further divide communities.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Mehbooba said that religious places—be it temples, mosques, or shrines—should remain as they were in 1947. “Religious places shouldn’t be altered in any way. But unfortunately, the judgment passed by the former CJI has opened doors to escalating controversies over religious sites,” Mehbooba said.

“Earlier, shivlings were being claimed in mosques, and now it is happening at shrines like Ajmer Dargah Sharif. If this isn’t stopped, they will start claiming our homes tomorrow,” she stated.

Highlighting the significance of Ajmer Sharif, Mehbooba said it is a site revered by all faiths, including Hindus, who visit in large numbers to seek blessings. She called the shrine a symbol of harmony, with a history spanning over 800 years.

She feared that such developments could lead to disturbances in the country, akin to the partition of 1947. “If this isn’t stopped, it will lead the country towards division and bloodshed,” she added.

She continued, saying that leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, and Mahatma Gandhi lived their lives to uphold the secular ideals of India, but today, the secular foundations of the country are being shaken. “The secular fabric of our nation is being shaken. Instead of addressing unemployment, improving education, or providing better healthcare, efforts are being made to pit Hindus and Muslims against each other,” Mehbooba remarked.

She held the former Chief Justice responsible for playing a "negative role" in this matter, stating that his actions have contributed to the current climate of unrest.

Mehbooba urged the government to prioritize unity and focus on issues affecting common citizens, rather than stoking communal tensions.