Qutub Minar row: Can’t revive Temple at protected monument site says ASI

New Delhi, May 24: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday, May 24 submitted its reply on the Qutub Minar case before a Saket Court. In its application, it opposed the plea to revive the Temple at the location.

The ASI said that the Qutub Minar is a protected monument since 1914 and the structure cannot be changed now. "The revival of worship cannot be allowed at a monument where such a practice was not prevalent at the time of it being granted the protected status," the ASI said.

The controversy arose after former ex-regional director of the ASI, Dharamveer Sharma claimed that the Qutub Minar was built by Raja Vikramaditya and not Qutb al-Din Aibak.

The Ministry of Culture too had asked the ASI to submit its excavation report. The process began in the south of the minaret at a distance of 15 metres from the Mosque. On May 21 the Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Govind Mohan visited the site with officials.