The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah, referred to as the “Dewan,” has decided to boycott Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf during his visit to the shrine, in protest against the alleged killing of two Indian soldiers along the LoC by Pakistani military personnel.
The Dewan thus joined certain right-wing outfits and the Ajmer Bar Association, which have also announced protests during Ashraf’s visit. However, the Dewan’s decision is unlikely to impact Ashraf’s visit since he is the ceremonial head. The pilgrims are attended by “Khadims (priests).”
A statement issued by the Dewan of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti’s shrine, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan, stated: “As the Dewan of the dargah, as per tradition, I used to welcome the dignitaries whenever they visited the shrine and send them back with my blessings. But this time, I will not do that. I would rather announce the boycott of the Pakistani prime minister over the inhuman manner in which Indian soldiers were treated by the Pakistan Army. It is the most despicable act and needs to be condemned in the strongest of words.”
He said the act was not only against humanity but also against the basic tenets of Islam. Khan said while Islam preaches peace and harmony, Pakistan has been promoting hatred and terrorism against the innocent people in India. “Pakistan is an Islamic country but they are neither following the teachings of prophet Mohammed nor the Koran,” he said.
“If the Pakistani prime minister wants to pray at the Dargah, then the ideal way should have been by bringing back the head of the soldier (Lance Naik Hemraj) and personally apologising to the prime minister of India and also seek forgiveness from the soldier’s family,” Khan said.
“If I welcome the prime minister of such a country, it would be an insult to the honour of my country and the soldiers guarding our borders. Ajmer sheriff is the biggest religious place in the subcontinent and the Pakistani prime minister would understand the significance of the boycott.”
The Dewan said though he could not stop Ashraf from visiting the Dargah, but he won’t welcome the Pakistani prime minister either.
Ashraf is scheduled to arrive at Jaipur at around 11 am on Saturday. The visiting prime minister and his entourage will meet External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid over lunch before flying to Ajmer in a chopper.
Don’t talk with Pak PM: BJP to govt
The BJP on Friday cautioned the government not to hold talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf who is visiting India on a pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif.
Ashraf’s visit comes two months after bilateral relations between New Delhi and Islamabad nose-dived over beheading of an Army jawan near the LoC.
“I hope that this will confine only to courtesy call and no discussion will take place on any issue. Because BJP is of the view that terrorism and talks cannot go side by side,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said.