A Civil Suit has been filed in the Saket Court of Delhi, alleging that the ‘Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid,’ situated within the Qutub Minar Complex in Mehrauli was built in place of a temple complex. Therefore, the suit sought the restoration of Hindu and Jain deities and the right to worship within the Qutub Minar complex at Mehrauli.
The matter came up for hearing on Tuesday before Civil Judge Neha Sharma who fixed the next date of hearing on December 24.
The Plea
The plea, filed on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, through next friend advocate Hari Shankar Jain and advocate Ranjana Agnihotri respectively. It was alleged that 27 Hindu and Jain temples were dismantled, desecrated, and damaged under the command of Mughal emperor Qutub-Din-Aibak, who raised some construction at the same very place of temples naming it as, ‘Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque’.
It is submitted that the Mughal ruler failed to completely demolish the existing temples and only partial demolition was carried out and after reusing the material of the temples, the said Mosque was erected.
Therefore, the plea sought a declaration that principal deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and principal deity Lord Vishnu, along with Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri, God Sun, Lord Hanuman including presiding deities of 27 temples, have the right to be restored and worshipped with rites and rituals, the performance of regular pooja within the alleged temple complex situated in the area.
Further, the plea contended that on the walls, pillars, and roof of the existing building, the images of Gods and Goddess including other religious/ pious Hindu symbols and deities like Shri Ganesh, Vishnu, Yaksha, Yakshini, Dwarpal, Lord Parshvanath, Lord Mahavir, Natraj and symbols like Mangal Kalash, Shankh (Conch), Gada, Lotus motifs, Shri Yantra, Temple Bells, and Sacred Lotus, etc. are engraved. The 9 Structural inner and outer outlook of the building complex symbolizes ancient Hindu and Jain temple Architecture. The corridor is complete of Vedic style having rectangular galleries with the holy symbol engraved pillars.
It further sought the issuance of a mandatory injunction directing the Central Government to create a trust, according to Trust Act 1882, and to hand over the management and administration of the temple complex situated within the area of Qutub Complex.
“Decree be passed in the nature of a mandatory injunction, directing the Trust, to be created by the Central Government, to manage the affairs of 27 Hindu and Jain temples with Iron Pillar, in accordance with the scheme of administration framed by the Central Government, situated within the area of Qutub Complex. “Decree be passed in the nature of a permanent injunction, restraining the defendants (Centre and ASI) permanently from interfering in making necessary repair works, raising construction and making arrangements for ‘pooja’, ‘darshan’ and worship of deities…,” the suit said.
