The Supreme Court on Monday (December 22, 2025) refused to urgently list a plea seeking to restrain the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from offering a ceremonial chadar at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan, a revered Sufi shrine associated with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The decision was taken by a Special Vacation Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, which declined an oral mentioning made during court proceedings.

The plea sought immediate judicial intervention to halt the traditional offering of the chadar on behalf of the Prime Minister during the Urs celebrations, which commemorate the death anniversary of the Sufi saint. The lawyer making the mentioning argued that the act could send a “wrong message” in light of a pending civil suit in a Rajasthan court questioning the religious origins of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

What the Plea Sought

During the oral mentioning before the Supreme Court, the counsel urged the Bench to list the matter urgently on the same day, citing the time-sensitive nature of the ceremonial offering.

“We pray for a listing today itself. This is regarding the offer of chadar by the Honourable Prime Minister at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah today. We are seeking a stay of that offer by the Office of the Prime Minister,” the lawyer submitted.

The counsel further informed the court that a civil suit was pending before a Rajasthan court, filed by Vishnu Gupta, president of the Hindu Sena, which seeks a declaration that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built over an ancient Hindu temple — the Bhagwan Shri Sankatmochan Mahadev Virajman Temple.

According to the plea, the continuation of the chadar offering amid the pendency of this suit could influence public perception and complicate the legal proceedings.

Supreme Court’s Response

The Special Vacation Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, declined to entertain the oral mentioning and refused to list the matter for urgent hearing. The Bench did not find sufficient grounds to warrant immediate judicial intervention in the matter.

By declining to list the plea urgently, the Supreme Court effectively allowed the ceremonial chadar offering to proceed as scheduled, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the underlying dispute pending before the Rajasthan court.

The court’s refusal underscores its consistent approach of discouraging last-minute oral mentions seeking urgent relief, particularly when alternative legal remedies remain available or when no irreversible harm is demonstrated.

Background: Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the Urs Tradition

The Ajmer Sharif Dargah, located in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, is one of the most revered Sufi shrines in South Asia. It is dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a 12th-century Sufi saint widely respected across religious communities.

The Urs festival, which marks the saint’s death anniversary, is an annual event drawing lakhs of devotees from India and abroad. As part of long-standing tradition, a ceremonial chadar is offered at the dargah on behalf of national leaders, including the Prime Minister, symbolising respect and inclusivity.

Successive governments, irrespective of political affiliation, have followed this tradition, which has come to be seen as part of India’s composite cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Pending Civil Suit in Rajasthan

The urgency plea before the Supreme Court referenced a civil suit filed by Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, which claims that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was constructed over the ruins of a Hindu temple.

The suit seeks:

• A declaration recognising the site as an ancient Shiva temple

• Legal recognition of the Bhagwan Shri Sankatmochan Mahadev Virajman Temple

• Reliefs relating to religious access and historical claims

This case forms part of a broader pattern of litigation across the country where religious structures are being challenged on historical grounds, raising complex legal, constitutional, and social questions.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court has not adjudicated on the merits of this claim, and the matter remains pending before the appropriate trial court.

Why the Lawyer Argued Urgency

The counsel contended that the PMO’s chadar offering could be perceived as state endorsement of one religious claim, potentially affecting public sentiment and judicial neutrality while the civil suit is under consideration.

“The offer of the ceremonial cloth on behalf of the Prime Minister would send a wrong message in Ajmer,” the lawyer argued.

However, the Supreme Court did not accept that this amounted to a legal emergency requiring immediate listing, particularly when the offering was ceremonial and symbolic rather than determinative of legal rights.

Judicial Restraint and Precedent

Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s refusal aligns with its established practice of judicial restraint, especially in matters involving:

• Religious customs and traditions

• Executive practices with long historical precedent

• Pending disputes before lower courts

The apex court has repeatedly emphasised that it will not intervene prematurely or disrupt established practices unless there is a clear violation of constitutional principles or statutory law.

Role of the Prime Minister’s Office

The offering of a chadar at Ajmer Sharif by the PMO is a symbolic act carried out through designated representatives, rather than a personal visit by the Prime Minister.

Such offerings have historically been framed as gestures of goodwill, inclusivity, and respect for India’s pluralistic traditions. The PMO’s role in the Urs ceremonies has remained consistent over decades and across governments.

Broader Constitutional Context

At the heart of the controversy lies a delicate balance between:

• Freedom of religion guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution

• Secular character of the Indian state

• Judicial independence in adjudicating religious disputes

The Supreme Court has consistently held that secularism in India does not imply hostility to religion, but rather equal respect for all faiths.

In this context, ceremonial practices by the state have often been upheld as cultural rather than religious endorsements, provided they do not infringe upon individual rights or discriminate between communities.

Public and Political Reactions

The court’s refusal to list the plea urgently is likely to be interpreted differently by various stakeholders. Supporters of the petition may see it as a missed opportunity for immediate judicial clarification, while others may view it as a reaffirmation of constitutional balance and restraint.

Political reactions have so far remained muted, with no official response from the PMO at the time of the court’s decision.

What Happens Next

The civil suit challenging the origins of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah will continue before the Rajasthan court, where evidence and arguments will be examined according to law.

If required, parties retain the right to approach higher courts through proper procedural channels at a later stage.

For now, the Supreme Court’s refusal to list the plea urgently ensures that existing traditions surrounding the Urs celebrations proceed uninterrupted, without judicial interference at this preliminary stage.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to decline urgent listing of the plea against the PMO’s chadar offering at Ajmer Sharif Dargah highlights the judiciary’s cautious approach in sensitive religious matters. By refusing to intervene at the oral mentioning stage, the court reaffirmed principles of procedural discipline, judicial restraint, and respect for long-standing traditions.

As the underlying civil dispute continues in the Rajasthan court, the broader legal and constitutional questions surrounding religious heritage, state practice, and secularism are likely to remain subjects of intense legal and public debate in the months ahead.

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