'Qutub Minar is a monument, no religion is allowed to worship here', ASI's affidavit
ASI on Qutub Minar: ASI has opposed the petition filed by the Hindu side for the demand of worship in Qutub Minar. The ASI has said in its reply filed in the Saket court that the identity of Qutub Minar cannot be changed.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has opposed the petition filed by the Hindu side demanding worship at Qutub Minar. The ASI has said in its reply filed in the Saket court that the identity of Qutub Minar cannot be changed.
In fact, a petition has been filed in Delhi's Saket court seeking the right to worship and restore Hindu and Jain deities inside the Qutub Minar complex. It has been claimed in the petition that many idols of Hindu deities are present in the Qutub Minar complex.
Right to worship cannot be given - ASI
At the same time, on this petition, ASI has filed its answer in the Saket court. ASI said, Qutub Minar has got the status of a protected monument since 1914. ASI said, the identity of Qutub Minar cannot be changed. Nor can worship be allowed in the memorial now. Actually, there has never been a worship here since the time it was preserved.
The ASI said, the petitions of the Hindu side are not legally valid. Also, breaking the old temple and building the Qutub Minar complex is a matter of historical fact. Right now no one has the right to worship in Qutub Minar. Ever since Qutub Minar was taken under protection, no worship was done here, so worship cannot be allowed here.
'This monument of archaeological importance'
ASI has said that it is a monument of archaeological importance. Therefore no one can be allowed to worship here. According to the Archaeological Protection Act 1958, only tourism is allowed in the protected monument. No worship of any religion. ASI said, even when this Qutub Minar complex has come under the protection of ASI, the followers of any religion were not doing any worship or worship there.
Remains of 27 temples in Qutub Minar
Petitioner Harishankar Jain, who has filed a petition demanding worship of the petitioner, has made a big claim about Qutub Minar. He says that more than 100 relics of about 27 temples are scattered in Qutub Minar. He said, we have so much evidence about Qutub Minar, which no one can deny. Harishankar Jain has claimed that all the evidence he has has been taken by him from the books of ASI. He said, these ASI says that these are the remains of temples.
It has been claimed by the petitioner that a brief history displayed by the ASI states that 27 temples were demolished by Qutbuddin Aibak, the commander of Mohammad Ghori's army and Quwwat-ul-Islam was erected inside the premises. The suit also claimed that the Qutub Minar complex contained clear images of Hindu deities and deities including Shri Ganesha, Vishnu and Yaksha, and several symbols such as the Kalash and the sacred lotus along the wells of the temple, indicating the Hindu origins of the building. Huh.