Court's decision will come on June 9 in the matter of worshiping Qutub Minar, both sides ...
In its reply filed in the court, the ASI said that Qutub Minar is a protected monument under the National Monuments Act. He said that when Qutb Minar was acquired in the year 1914, then no worship was being done here.
New Delhi: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has made it clear that Qutub Minar in Delhi is a monument and worship cannot be allowed in its premises. The ASI has filed a reply in the court in Saket on a petition from the Hindu side seeking rights to worship the deities located in the Qutub Minar complex. In this response, the ASI has opposed the restoration and worship of Hindu deities in Qutub Minar , saying that it is a monument and no change is possible in its appearance.
During the hearing on the petition filed for granting the right to worship, the lawyers of the Hindu and Muslim parties presented their respective sides. The verdict in this case can now be pronounced by the court on June 9. Earlier, the court has sought written answers from the Hindu and Muslim sides. During the hearing, the Saket Court said that the verdict will be pronounced on June 9 for order on appeal regarding the restoration of 27 Hindu and Jain temples in Mehrauli's Qutub Minar complex. For now, the decision has been reserved.
ASI demanded the court to dismiss the petition
In its reply filed in the court, the ASI said that Qutub Minar is a protected monument under the National Monuments Act. He said that when Qutb Minar was acquired in the year 1914, then no worship was being done here. So as per the rules, this position cannot be changed now. The ASI said that worship cannot be allowed here nor can its identity be changed. Therefore the petition should be dismissed.
Court ordered not to remove two idols of Lord Ganesha
Let us inform that a petition has been filed in Delhi's Saket Court seeking the right of restoration and worship of Hindu deities inside the Qutub Minar complex. It has been claimed in this petition that many idols of Hindu deities are present in the Qutub Minar complex. Recently, a Delhi court had ordered the ASI not to remove two idols of Lord Ganesha from the Qutub Minar complex till further orders.
Considering display of Hindu-Jain idols in Qutub Minar: Culture Ministry
On the other hand, the Ministry of Culture has said that it is looking at displaying Hindu and Jain idols found in Delhi's Qutub Minar complex and has no plans to excavate the site or stop any religious practices. A few days back, National Monuments Authority (NMA) President Tarun Vijay wrote to the ASI requesting that the two Ganesh idols found in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque be moved out of the premises. The official said the ministry is considering whether some of these idols can be displayed with a label. He also said that since the mosque was built with stone from temples, such idols in various forms can be seen all around.