Worship can’t be legally allowed in Qutub Minar: Archaeological Survey of India

New Delhi, May 24 Opposing a plea seeking permission to restore and worship Hindu and Jain temples in the Qutub Minar complex, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said no infringement in name of fundamental rights can be done on the site of archaeological importance protected by them.The ASI, in response to an application filed by the Hindu side in the Saket court here, has said that the identity of the protected site cannot be changed.In the affidavit, the ASI said para two of the interim application states that the fact cannot be denied that there are many idols in the Qutub Minar complex, “But accepting the claim made by the defendants or any other person stating the fundamental right to worship in this centrally protected monument would be against the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.”The central government agency said, “Fundamental rights cannot be achieved by violating this (protected) site.”The ASI, in its affidavit, said the Qutub Minar has been declared a protected monument since 1914 and its status cannot be changed nor can worship be allowed in it. The agency said no worship has ever been performed at the complex since it was declared a protected monument.The petitioner, Harishankar Jain, in the application filed in court has said that more than 100 remains of about 27 temples are scattered in the Qutub Minar complex.The petitioner has also claimed that the complex has evident figures of several Hindu deities including Lord Ganesha, Vishnu and Yaksha and that along with wells, Kalash and sacred lotus relics are present in the complex which clearly shows that it was originally Hindu site.