New Delhi: A petition has been filed in Delhi’s Saket Court in which questions have been raised over the construction of Quwwal-ul-Islam mosque located in the precincts of the historic Qutab Minar.
This petitioner has claimed that the mosque has been built by breaking 27 Hindu and Jain temples. It has been claimed in the petition that this mosque was built by Qutubuddin Aibak with the rubble of the Hindu and Jain temples, which were in existence before the building of the mosque.
According to the information, the petitioner has stated in the petition that 27 temples should be established again here and for this, the government should form a trust. Along with this, the petitioner has claimed in the petition that in the mosque built here, there are clear marks of Hindu gods and symbols, which prove that there were temples here earlier. The petition will be heard on December 24, 2020.
HARISHANKAR JAIN FILED A PETITION
Lawyer Harishankar Jain, who lives in the Ahimsa Khand of Ghaziabad, has filed a petition in the Saket Court of Delhi. In an interview with ETV Bharat, senior advocate Harishankar Jain said that Mohammad Gauri had made Qutubuddin Aibak his successor. Harishankar Jain further informed that Qutubuddin Aibak broke 27 Hindu and Jain temples and constellations to build the mosque.
According to Harishankar Jain, the mosque was built to show the power of Islam and even today pictures of Hindu deities are seen there. The mosque was constructed to instil fear among the Hindus. He said that it is clearly written on the board in Qutab Minar that the mosque has been built from the debris of the temples, breaking 27 Hindu and Jain temples. He said that we have the right under the Constitution to the court and put forth our point.
Before taking this matter before the court, all the facts have been gathered, which will be placed before the court on the next date. Advocate Harishankar Jain said that there was an argument in the court for about an hour. The court understood the case very well. The court has given the date for the next hearing of the case on December 24.
‘RELIGIOUS RITUALS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE PROTECTED BUILDING’
It is worth mentioning that the claims made about Quwwal-ul-Islam mosque have been found correct by KK Mohammed, a former director of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He also believed that the Quwwal-ul-Islam mosque was built by breaking Hindu and Jain temples. He also said that many documents are still in existence as proof for this. However, he said that in today’s time it is a protected historical building. Its preservation is the responsibility of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He made it clear that due to being a protected building, there can be neither worship nor prayers offered there.
MOSQUE CAME UNDER THE PROTECTION OF ASI IN 1914
He said that of course, the premises of the mosque had previously been the complex of temples of Hindu and Jain, but in 1914 when the Archaeological Survey of India took over the building under its control at that time there was neither the recitation of ‘Namaz’ nor performing any kind of worship.
‘EVEN EARLIER DEMANDS WERE MADE TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS RITUALS’
He said that this is not the first time that demands are being made to perform religious rituals in this complex. Even before this, the Hindu community tried to perform the puja here, but they were refused the permission. Even the Muslim community tried to offer prayer here, which was also not permitted. Even four mosques had been captured by the locals, which were freed from them with the help of the police force. He said that now everything depends on the order of the court.
THE PETITION SEEKS TEMPLE’S RESTORATION
It is worth stating here that in the petition filed in the court, demand has been made that religious rituals and worship should be allowed to be done by restoring Hindu and Jain temples in the mosque areas. The petitioner has also sought the formation of a committee, which should be entrusted with the task of protecting it. It is worth mentioning here that currently the structure is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Needless to say that the Qutab Minar was built by different rulers in the 12th and 13th centuries. First, the construction of its foundation took place, and then the ground floor and first floor were built by Qutubuddin Aibak. Then his grandson completed the structure.
Also Read: Exclusive: Lawsuit filed for restoration of temples inside Qutub Minar complex
