Ganesha idol at Qutub: "Either remove or reinstall respectfully" says National Monument Authority

New Delhi, Apr 8: National Monuments Authority (NMA) Chairman, Tarun Vijay said that the Ganesha idols at Qutub Minar in Delhi, have been placed there disrespectfully. The NMA had observed it almost a year ago and had discussed the same with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) around the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

Vijay stated that the Ganesha idols placed 'disrespectfully' in the Qutub Minar complex should either be removed or reinstalled 'respectfully'. He said he had raised the issue with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) almost more than a year ago. However, was disappointed with no response to his letter.

 

 

According to the NMA Chairman's statement, "The idols are currently placed at a most disrespectful place, upside down at the feet level of the visitors. The idols should either be removed or placed respectfully inside the Qutub complex." The official custodian of the monument, the Archaeological Survey of India, has yet not responded on the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

On the same line, Vijay made it to twitter to seek answer to the questions raised in knowing about the story of the 27 temples that were believed to be located inside the complex. He tweeted, "...what had happened to 27 temples and why Ganesha moorti was put upside down to humiliate Hindus. There are Tirthankars, Yamuna, Dashavatar, Krishna’s birth and Navagraha Moortis never shown to visitors."

 

 

 

The Qutub Minar Heritage Complex that is dates back to the 12th century, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. However, it is only the Minar in the vast monumental site that dates back to the 12th century. The remains of Hindu and Jain temples that still exist in the complex premises, date back to much older times.

 

 

There are two Ganesha idols located in the Qutub Minar Heritage complex. One of the two idols shows the Ganesha upside down, while the other is caged. Both the idols are part of the Quwwat Ul Islam mosque in the complex. The first idol is part of the south-facing wall of the mosque, whereas the latter that is enclosed in an iron cage, is close to the ground level.

 

 

During Islamic invasions, barbaric devastation of temples had taken place on a large scale around the country, wherever they would raid to. The temples at Mehrauli too, had been subject to such acts of Islamic vandalism. Tarun Vijay has referred to the incident as 'cultural genocide' executed by Islamic invaders.