New Delhi, July 25: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found itself in a tight spot today when nearly 200 people forcibly entered several protected heritage structures like the Qutab Minar, Jamali Kamali complex, Mandi Mosque and Rajaon ki Baoli to offer Friday prayers.
The ASI had been facing similar problems with a section of Mehrauli area’s resident Muslim population, who had on earlier occasions forcibly entered the Jamali Kamali mosque to offer Friday prayers.
Senior officials of the heritage protection body said the police have ignored their earlier requests to register FIRs or provide protection during such incidents.
“On Friday as well, when people forced their way into the Qutab Minar, which is a protected monument with ticketed entry, police officials chose to look the other way, despite requests from ASI officials to stop illegal entry into the complex,” a senior ASI official said.
“Instead, the Station House Officer at the nearby police station asked the ASI officials to allow entry to these people.”
At the Mohammadi Mosque in Hauz Khas area, police officials managed to keep the crowd out, who then offered their prayers on the road right outside the mosque.
“According to the law, only those monuments that allowed prayers to be held in the complex before being taking over by the ASI, are entitled to be open for regular prayers. No provision can be made to re-introduce or open a monument complex for prayers for any religious community,” K K Mohammad, superintending archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI, said. “Such a decision will have repercussions countrywide.”
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai had called Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta to discuss the issue on Friday.
-Agencies