KAMAKHYA DEVI

that site where the dargah of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti and adjoining Jama Masjid existed was originally the site of Maa Kamakhya Devi temple.

“The word Sikri has originated from Sikarwar, a Kshatriya clan after whom this region bordering Rajasthan was named in 14th century. Mata Kamakhya Devi was revered by these Sikarwar rulers but the site was encroached during the invasion of Babur and later it turned to present day dargah of Shaikh Salim Chishti by Babur’s successors,” Singh claimed.

The petitioner denied that Fatehpur Sikri came up during Akbar’s reign, claiming that the mention of Sikri is found in Babur’s memoir Bāburnāma.

Singh further claimed that initially Sikri was a small village close to Khanwa (in Rajasthan) where the famous decisive battle was fought between Babur and Rana Sangram Singh aka Rana Sanga in 1527 AD when the former changed its name to ‘Shukri (Thanksgiving)’ as a gratitude to the God for the hard won victory.

“Mughal rulers Babur and Akbar encroached upon the area and brought up Buland Darwaza which in fact was southern gate of Kamakhya Mata temple and remains of Hindu architecture were dismantled by Akbar and inscriptions in Arabic were placed,” claims lawyer Singh.

The petitioner has sought, in prayer clause of the suit filed, removal of encroachment and giving back of possession to the Hindu deity. It has also sought stopping of Islamic religious activities going on at the mosque and the dargah in Fatehpur Sikri.

Located 40 km from Agra city, Fatehpur Sikri is a monument conserved by Archaeological Survey of India. It is known more as once the capital of Mughal empire during reign of emperor Akbar who later abandoned the capital here and shifted back to Agra fort.

SAINI

40 MLAs, the Congress 30 and the JJP 10. The Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lokhit Party have one member. There are six Independents.

Chautala wrote that after the Saini government demonstrated its majority in the Vidhan Sabha with the support of several Independent MLAs, Independent legislator Ranjit Singh Chautala resigned.

Given these developments, including the withdrawal of support by the three Independents, it is evident that the incumbent government no longer commands a majority in the assembly, Chautala said.

Referring to Article 174 of the Constitution, the JJP leader said that the article “confers upon the Governor the authority to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the legislative assembly”.

Chautala mentioned the landmark case S R Bommai case and said the Supreme Court had clarified the “Governor’s discretion in determining the majority of a government”.

“The court emphasised that a Governor has a constitutional obligation to act judiciously and impartially in such matters and can call for a floor test to determine a government’s majority,” he said in the letter.

Considering the gravity of the current circumstances and the “urgent need to reinstate stability and uphold democratic norms in Haryana”, Chautala urged the Governor to invoke his constitutional prerogative as per Article 174.

Calling for an “immediate floor test”, the JJP leader said, if the government fails to do so, it is essential for the Governor to fulfil his constitutional duty by imposing President’s Rule in the state.

“This action is imperative to ensure the continued governance of the state in accordance with constitutional norms,” he mentioned.

On Wednesday, Chautala had urged the Congress to take steps to bring down the Saini government.

Currently, the Saini government has the support of two of the Independent legislators.