Against law: BJP as Congress seeks to reopen Charminar mosque for prayers
India Today
The Archeological Survey of India closed down the mosque for prayers to safeguard it and avoid inconvenience to tourists visiting the Charminar, BJP's NV Subhash said.
The Telangana BJP has come out strongly against Congress leader Rasheed Khan’s demand to reopen the mosque inside the Charminar in Hyderabad.
“The Charminar is a historical monument and thousands visit it. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) closed down the mosque for prayers to safeguard it and avoid inconvenience to tourists during prayer times. It should be noted that prayers have not been offered in the Charminar for years. At declared monuments, prayers are not offered as it is against the law,” the spokesperson of the Telangana BJP, NV Subhash, said.
“Prayers have been happening peacefully at the Bhaygalakshmi temple on the Charminar premises and at the Mecca Masjid. Rashed Khan wants to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the city by raising and demanding the reopening of the mosque for prayers just to garner some votes,” Subhash alleged.
Khan began a signature campaign at the historic Mecca masjid near Charminar, saying, “It is our constitutional right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.”
“Devotees should be allowed to offer the five daily prayers, which are mandatory in Islam,” he demanded.
The mosque was constructed in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shah dynasty. It was shut down years ago by the ASI.
