ASI opposed petition seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain temples inside the Qutub Minar complex, says 'no provision under which Worship can be started': Verdict reserved for June 9
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday opposed the petition seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain temples inside the Qutub Minar complex stating that the existing status of the monument cannot be altered.
“Since 1914, Qutub Minar monument been a protected monument under section 3(3) of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 and is being maintained in-situ in the same condition. There is no provision under AMASR Act 1958 under which Worship can be started at any living monument”, it said as the Delhi Court concluded the hearing on a plea seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain temples inside the Qutub complex.
|
The Court was hearing the plea filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev which claimed that the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque inside the Qutub complex was built after the demolition of 27 temples. “It is the admitted position for the last 800 years, it wasn’t used by the Muslims. When there is a temple which was in existence much before the mosque, why it can’t be restored?”, Hari Shankar Jain was quoted as saying in a report published in Live Law.
The plea also sought permission to resume worship. However, the ASI asserted that Qutab Minar is not a place of worship and since the time of its protection by the Central Government, Qutab Minar or any part of Qutab Minar was not under worship by any community.
“Fundamental right cannot be availed in violation of any status of the land. The basic principle of protection /conservation is not to allow starting of any new practice in a monument declared and notified as a protected one under the Act. Revival of worship is not allowed wherever it is not practised at the time of protection of a monument,” it added.
ASI admits images of Hindu and Jain deities were used in the construction of the Qutub Minar Complex
The ASI however admitted that architectural members and images of Hindu and Jain deities were re-used in the construction of the Qutab complex. Also earlier, Dharamveer Sharma, the former Regional Director of the ASI had claimed that Qutub Minar was actually Surya Stambh. He said it was erected by Emperor Vikramaditya, not the Mughals. He also stated that the edifice was not built in sections as some historians claim.
Dharamveer Sharma is one of India’s most well-known archaeologists. He has served three times as Superintending Archaeologist at ASI’s Delhi division. Sharma explained that the tower was used as a constellation observatory. The Minaret has 27 binocular sites to compute 27 constellations. He further stated that Surya Stambh is mentioned on the third floor of the Minaret.
The National Monuments Authority (NMA) had also recently requested the ASI for the removal of two Ganesha statues from the Qutub Minar complex. The NMA chairman wrote to ASI, asserting that two Ganesh idols are known as Ulta Ganesh and Ganesh in cage be shifted from the Qutub Minar complex to the National Museum. He considered the placement of the idols insulting and felt their location should be changed.
The ASI on May 24 stated that one image of Lord Ganesha which is on the lower portion of the wall is protected with a grill to prevent any possibility of someone stepping on it. While another image of Lord Ganesh is in the upside-down position and is embedded in the wall, therefore, may not be feasible to remove or reset the same.
The Court has reserved 9 June for the verdict.
References:
opindia.com
Support Us
Satyagraha was born from the heart of our land, with an undying aim to unveil the true essence of Bharat. It seeks to illuminate the hidden tales of our valiant freedom fighters and the rich chronicles that haven't yet sung their complete melody in the mainstream.
While platforms like NDTV and 'The Wire' effortlessly garner funds under the banner of safeguarding democracy, we at Satyagraha walk a different path. Our strength and resonance come from you. In this journey to weave a stronger Bharat, every little contribution amplifies our voice. Let's come together, contribute as you can, and champion the true spirit of our nation.
ICICI Bank of Satyaagrah | Razorpay Bank of Satyaagrah | PayPal Bank of Satyaagrah - For International Payments |
If all above doesn't work, then try the LINK below:
Please share the article on other platforms
DISCLAIMER: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this article. The author carries the responsibility for citing and/or licensing of images utilized within the text. The website also frequently uses non-commercial images for representational purposes only in line with the article. We are not responsible for the authenticity of such images. If some images have a copyright issue, we request the person/entity to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will take the necessary actions to resolve the issue.
Related Articles
- "Truth is often stranger than fiction": Imagine finding a Shivling in every mosque's fountain!" Maulana Tauqeer Raza muses, stoking controversy over the Gyanvapi structure. Is it truth or clever wordplay? History meets sarcasm in this religious saga
- NMA received outrage from Netizens for asking ASI to remove Ganesh idols from Qutub Minar complex to National Museum as it will remove the big evidence of Islamist vandalism: Ganesha is the prime god of Hinduism
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya and emphasized 'Progressiveness does not mean detaching from one’s roots and that there is no conflict between progressiveness and antiquity.'
- "Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible": Kankaleshwar Mandir of Beed is a masterpiece of ancient Indian architecture surrounded by water on all sides dedicated to Mahadev, built by Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI
- 'He is the KING OF KINGS' - As a staggering administrator, intense warrior, a magnanimous philanthropist, and a lover of beautiful art and architecture, Raja Raja Cholan is an inevitable character in Tamil and world history
- After removing 500 tons of garbage, 18th-century old stepwell to soon serve with clean, fresh groundwater gushing from 53 feet deep water stream: Nalla Pochamma Temple, Telangana
- "Only heart to heart can speak the bliss of mystic knowers": The mystic beauty of the Descent of the Ganges relief at Mahabalipuram, an exquisite of rich Indian artistry and spiritual depth, and the legends sculpted into life-size figures on pink granite
- PM to unveil the 'Statue of Equality' of 11th century Vaishnavite saint Ramanujacharya: World’s second-largest statue in sitting position in Hyderabad on the 40-acre sprawling premises
- “The bigmouths never visited Lord Ram’s birthplace and kept on playing politics”: Ram Mandir chief priest says only BJP cares about Ram Mandir, Modi did Shilanyas and CM Yogi visited 40 times
- In a significant discovery Hindu temple structure with ornate columns found inside a mosque in Mangaluru, locals suspect the presence of a temple in the past: VHP leaders asked to stop work till documents verified