Disputes surrounding the status of religious sites in Sambhal and Ajmer have reignited debates on the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The law, designed to preserve the status quo of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, is central to the current legal and political landscape.
The recent controversies involve claims on the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a revered Sufi shrine, and the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Petitioners in Ajmer have alleged that the dargah was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple, citing historical records, including a 1911 publication. Meanwhile, Sambhal has witnessed tensions after a local court allowed a survey of the mosque, spurring allegations of disregard for the 1991 Act.