Author: PTI
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: June 5, 2003
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?msid=6967
In a significant statement that
could create a row, Union minister of state for culture Bhavnaben Chikalia
has asserted that no mosque existed inside the disputed complex at Bhojshala.
Stating that the complex was an
"aastha kendra (centre of religious belief)" for Hindus, the minister,
who offered prayers here yesterday, objected to depiction of 'Kamal Maula
Mosque' on the entry ticket issued by the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) and some other documents, and asked the ASI official in-charge of
the monument S B Ota, "Where is the mosque?"
Noticing a cemetery in the disputed
premises, Ms Chikalia asked the ASI official to give details of when it
was built and during whose rule. The minister, who was accompanied by BJP
leader Uma Bharti, also sought historical details about two wells - 'Akal
kui' and 'Ganga kui' - and wanted to know how "encroachments" came up.
"It is an ancient temple. There
is ample proof in this regard," Ms Chikalia told reporters referring to
miniature statues of deities on pillars of the old structure. "There is
no mosque here. It is outside the premises," she asserted.
Referring to a mosque outside the
old complex, the Union minister said, "During the Mughal rule, many temples
were destroyed in the country. This is one of them.
"It is our duty to open this temple
for Hindus for prayers as it relates to shraddha (religious sentiments),"
Ms Chikalia said.
When asked whether 'namaz', allowed
on Fridays, should be stopped here if no mosque existed, the minister evaded
a direct reply. She said some wrong doings were taking place at the premises
which needed to be corrected.
The Bhojshala issue rocked the country
in March this year when Hindu Jagran Manch and VHP demanded opening of
the gate of the shrine for prayers. The gates had been closed in 1997 after
controversy arose over whether it was a temple or a mosque.
Apprehending that it could develop
into an Ayodhya kind of dispute, the Central government intervened and
ordered that Hindus be allowed to offer prayers on Tuesdays and Muslims
on Fridays.
Ms Chikalia said the culture ministry
would initiate efforts to seek return from London of Saraswati statue,
which used to be in the monument and was taken away by Britishers when
they left India.
