NEW DELHI: The historic Jama Masjid in the Indian capital, New Delhi, has recently become a target of extremist Hindu groups as they claimed that the mosque was constructed on the remains of temples.
According to Indian media reports, a Hindu extremist organization has filed an application with the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) seeking a detailed survey of the mosque while claiming that it was constructed on the remains of temples from Jodhpur and Udaipur, reportedly destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The National President of Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta, in his application, said that idols of Hindu deities were used in the construction of the mosque, with some allegedly buried under its stairs to disrespect the sentiments of the followers of the Hindu religion.
He claimed that the survey could uncover remnants of temples that might have once existed at the site. He further said that any remains found during the survey be preserved and the findings made public to provide clarity about the history of the mosque.
This is not the first time the Hindu Sena has made such false claims. The group previously filed a petition in court arguing that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was actually a Hindu temple. The group also called for a survey of the ‘Dhai Din Ka Jhonpra Mosque,’ located near the shrine.
The mosque, one of the oldest in India, is located just five minutes away from Ajmer Sharif. It is a protected historical site under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Additionally, in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Hindu extremists have claimed that a Hindu temple existed in place of a mosque, which led to violent clashes resulting in the deaths of three individuals.
Meanwhile, the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid in Ayodhya by the BJP and its allied Hindu extremist organizations in 1992 remains a highly contentious issue. Deplorably, India’s superior judiciary not only acquitted the criminals responsible for this condemnable act but also allowed the construction of a temple on the site of the demolished mosque.
Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple on the site where the mosque once stood. Pakistan had also condemned the construction of the ‘Ram Temple’ on the site of the demolished Babri historic mosque.
The statement issued by the foreign ministry said the development was indicative of growing majoritarianism in India. “These constitute an important facet of the ongoing efforts for the political, social, and economic marginalization of Indian Muslims,” it added.
The rising tide of ‘Hindutva’ ideology in India poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace. The Chief Ministers of two major Indian states, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, are on record as citing the Babri Mosque’s demolition or inauguration of the ‘Ram Temple’ as the first step towards reclaiming parts of Pakistan.
