Amid the showdown over Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishvanath temple dispute, a row has erupted over the relgious nature of Qutub Minar. The court was hearing an appeal regarding restoration of 27 Hindu and Jain temples in the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli.
Advocate Subhash Gupta, appearing for ASI, claimed that it is written in the inscription that mosque was built with remains of 27 temples but nowhere it’s mentioned either in inscription or text quoted in pleadings, that the material for construction of mosque were retrieved by the demolition of temples.
Petitioners Hari Shankar Jain told the court that Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid situated in Qutub Minar complex was built in place of the temple complex. He also referred to sec. 16 of AMASR Act 1958, which states that a protected monument maintained by the Central Government, under this Act, which is a place of worship or shrine, shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with its character.
Saket Court has reserved the order in the matter and listed the matter for June 9th.
