Allow Hindus to offer prayers to idols of Hindu deities in Qutb Minar complex, says VHP
India Today
The VHP has asked the government to allow Hindus to offer prayers to idols of the deities kept inside the Qutb Minar complex.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded 'rights to offer prayers' to the idols of the deities inside the Qutb Minar complex in New Delhi. This followed after the Hindu groups descended on the Qutb Minar on Tuesday, demanding that the iconic monument be renamed to Vishnu Stambh.
In a statement, VHP spokesman Vinod Bansal sought the government’s attention to allow prayers inside the Qutb Minar complex.
"There are many statues of Hindu gods and goddesses inside the Qutb Minar complex. During Mughal rule, the temples in the complex were destroyed to build a mosque and minar. The Hindus should be given rights to properly offer Puja at the statues of Hindu gods inside the complex," said Vinod Bansal.
On Tuesday, heavy police force was deployed at the Qutb Minar after activists from the Mahakal Manav Sewa and other right-wing outfits raised slogans at the site. The protesters also chanted the Hanuman Chalisa while camping near the Qutb Minar. Paramilitary forces were deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
In Pics: Right wing activists protest at Qutub Minar, demand it be renamed to Vishnu Stambh
Demanding that Hindus should be allowed to offer prayers to idols of the deities, Vinod Bansal said, "The structure was built with materials obtained after demolishing 27 Hindu-Jain temples, and that had been done to “tease” the Hindu community. All the idols of the deities shall be respectfully resorted and rights to perform Puja everyday shall be immediately given to Hindus.”
The VHP claims that there are a number of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses inside the Qutb Minar complex. The Ashoka-era Vishnu Stambh is also being claimed by the VHP, which is inside the Qutb Minar complex, to perform Puja.
