Ajmer 92 Movie Controversy: After “The Kashmir Files” and “The Kerala Story,” now comes “Ajmer 92” to claim its share of attention in the entertainment world by digging up pages from the past that may have faded from people’s memories. Scheduled for release in July, “Ajmer 92” allegedly portrays the biggest scandal that occurred in Ajmer, Rajasthan, between 1990 and 1992. Let’s delve into what actually happened during that time, how it came to light, and how closely the film reflects reality. Who are the opponents of this film?
| Location | Ajmer, Rajasthan, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates |  53.430°N 1.357°W |
| Type | Sexual abuse and blackmailing (Estimated 250 (1991–1992, according to the media report) aged approximately 11–20 |
| Reporter | Deenbandhu Chaudary and Santosh Gupta, Dainik Navajyoti. [1] |
| Inquiries | Rajasthan Police (1992-2021) |
| Trial | Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court of India |
| Convictions | 5 of the accused convicted, including Farooq Chishtee. |
The Story Unfolded as Follows: In the year 1992, on April 21, when the sun rose, Ajmer was engulfed in an atmosphere of terror. It all started with a news article published in the local daily “Navjyoti,” which created a stir throughout the city. A young reporter named Santosh Gupta revealed the horrifying truth of blackmailing over a hundred schoolgirls who had been sexually assaulted. Several of these girls had resorted to suicide. The article claimed that more than 100 girls between the ages of 17 and 20 studying in different schools in Ajmer were trapped and subjected to sexual exploitation after being blackmailed. Though it was not the era of social media, the news gradually spread across the country, causing a sensation.
Over a Hundred Girls Became Victims One by One: The “Navjyoti” newspaper also published statements from many affected girls. They shared their accounts of how some boys from well-to-do families in the city targeted a female student, captured explicit photos, and then threatened to distribute them throughout the city. To prevent the dissemination of the photos, the girls were coerced into bringing another friend into the trap. This chain continued, and more than a hundred girls fell prey to these monsters.
Several Influential Families were Involved in the Atrocities: The then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, assured an investigation into the matter. Following the investigation, the case reached the court, and charges were filed against 18 individuals, including the main accused Farooq Chishti, Nafees Chishti, and Anwar Chishti. All three held significant positions in the Youth Congress. Additionally, they were connected to the renowned Chishti family in Ajmer. Notably, eight of the culprits were sentenced to imprisonment. The Rajasthan High Court acquitted four of them in 2001, while the remaining four appealed to the Supreme Court, where their sentence was reduced to ten years in 2003. It is worth mentioning that several accused individuals in this case are still at large.
How Close is the Film to Reality?
Now the question arises: how closely does the film portray reality? Experts believe that the film’s story is based on the news articles published in “Navjyoti” and the statements of the victimized schoolgirls. Consequently, the film is considered to be closely related to reality. Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding the role of the police administration and the judiciary system.
Who is Protesting?
Upon learning about the release date of the film based on the Ajmer incident, several organizations representing the Khadim community and Muslim society have expressed their opposition. The Ajmer Dargah Committee has issued a warning stating that if the film attempts to harm the sanctity of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s image, legal action will be taken. Moreover, this film is also being linked to politics. The secretary of the Ajmer Dargah Anjuman Committee, Sarvar Chishti, claims that such films are being produced before elections.
It is deeply concerning that they faced harassment, threats, and lack of support from society and their families after the rape. The fact that some victims allegedly took their own lives highlights the devastating impact such experiences can have on individuals.
It is disheartening to learn that Ajmer Mahila Samooh, an organization that attempted to advocate for the victims, had to withdraw due to threats. This underscores the challenging environment that survivors often face when seeking justice and support.
A serial rapist from Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Farooq Chishtee was one of the main accused individuals in the 1992 Ajmer sex scandal. He was associated with the caretakers of the Sufi shrine of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Moinuddin Chishti. Farooq Chishtee held the position of president of the Ajmer Youth Congress at the time of his involvement in the scandal. He played a significant role in the exploitation and blackmail of young girls, as well as the perpetration of other crimes related to the scandal.
The involvement of tabloids and local papers in further victimizing the girls through blackmail is extremely disturbing and exploitative. It is unfortunate that these publications prioritized sensationalism and financial gain over the well-being and privacy of the victims.
Deenbandhu Chaudhary, the editor of Navajyoti
The continued need for survivors to revisit the court proceedings, even after 30 years, is undoubtedly a traumatic experience. Reliving the horrors of the past can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being.
It is essential to raise awareness about the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault and work towards creating a supportive and empathetic society that provides the necessary resources and assistance to victims.
The discovery of a blackmail operation involving a group of serial offenders is deeply troubling. It appears that Farooq Chistee initiated the cycle by trapping one girl from Sophia Senior Secondary School in Ajmer and capturing obscene photos of her. The accused then coerced the girl into introducing them to her classmates and friends, leading to further victims being targeted.
As the operation expanded, more girls were subjected to rape, sexual exploitation, and the taking of explicit photos at a farmhouse. This horrifying cycle continued, with the perpetrators using the compromising images to exploit the victims and maintain control over them.
The actions of this gang highlight the systemic nature of the crimes committed and the significant harm inflicted upon the victims. It is crucial that such criminal activities are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Additionally, it is important to provide support and resources to the victims to help them recover from their traumatic experiences and rebuild their lives. Efforts should focus on raising awareness, strengthening laws and law enforcement, and fostering a safe and supportive environment for survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.
The revelations about the local law enforcement authorities’ awareness of the scandal prior to its public exposure are deeply troubling. According to the editor of Navjyoti, Deenbandhu Chaudhary, the authorities were aware of the situation for almost a year but allowed the investigations to be stalled by local politicians. This negligence further highlights the need for accountability and reform within the law enforcement system.
Chaudhary explained that they decided to publish the story to pressure the local administration into taking action. Following the publication, the police finally filed a First Information Report (FIR) against eight of the accused individuals. Subsequent investigations led to a total of 18 men being charged, causing tensions to escalate in the town.
The community reacted strongly to the revelations, with protests taking place and tensions rising. A three-day bandh (a form of protest involving a shutdown of activities) was imposed, and more reports of exploitation and blackmail emerged. It became evident that the social and financial influence of the accused individuals had prevented many more victims from coming forward. Tragically, it was also discovered that a number of the young and vulnerable victims had already taken their own lives.
The case is far from being closed, as many of the supposed victims who were expected to serve as witnesses turned hostile. The scale of the victimization is believed to involve several hundred individuals. Furthermore, there are claims that the culprits had connections with agencies like Pakistan’s ISI, PFI, and Dawat-E-Islami, suggesting potential links to organized networks.
In January 2012, the Rajasthan police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) made an arrest, apprehending Saiyed Saleem Chishtee, one of the accused individuals, from Khalid Mohalla in Ajmer town. This arrest marked a significant development in the ongoing investigation.
It is crucial for the authorities to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation, ensuring that all those involved in these heinous crimes are brought to justice. The victims need comprehensive support to help them heal from the trauma they have endured, and measures should be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The case involved a total of 18 accused individuals who were found to be involved in the crimes of rape and abduction. These accused individuals were associated with the caretakers of the Sufi shrine of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Moinuddin Chishti. Among the accused, Farooq Chishtee, who was the president of the Ajmer Youth Congress, was identified as the main accused in the case. Other accused individuals included Anwar Chishtee, who served as the joint secretary of Ajmer Indian National Congress, and Nafis Chishtee, who held the position of vice-president.
Additionally, Moijullah alias Puttan, Ishrat Ali, Anwar Chishtee, and Shamshuddin alias Meradona were also among the accused who faced sentencing by the court. In 2012, absconder Salim Chishtee was arrested, while another absconder named Alamas remains at large according to the police. On January 4, 2012, Saiyed Saleem Chishtee, one of the accused individuals, was arrested by the Rajasthan police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) from Khalid Mohalla in Ajmer.
Furthermore, on February 15, 2018, Suhail Ghani Chisty, the prime accused in the 1992 Ajmer sex scandal, surrendered after 26 years. Suhail, who was considered one of the most wanted individuals in connection with the scandal, surrendered before the district court in Ajmer. He was a resident of Khadim Mohalla (Dargah Bazar) in Ajmer.
Farooq Chisti, the president of the Youth Congress in Ajmer (Rajasthan), took obscene photos of a female student from Sophia Senior Secondary School. He intimidated the girl that if she didn’t obey him, her photos would be spread among the masses. His demand: Introduce more girls to Farooq and his gang. So is what happened and with it began the gloomy episode called Ajmer Mass Rapes.
These arrests and surrenders mark important developments in the pursuit of justice in the case, but it is crucial for the legal process to proceed and ensure a fair trial for all the accused individuals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajmer_rape_case
About The Author
