Editorial-Temples Must Exist in their Original Places

Editorial

After Kashi and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, now the controversy over the existence of a temple in place of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal village of Uttar Pradesh has intensified. On the morning of 24th November 2024, when the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was being surveyed on the orders of the Civil Court, fanatic Muslims became violent. They resorted to stone-pelting as well as arson. It led to the death of 5 people and injuring 20 Policemen. Later, a large Police force was deployed there.

After the Mughals invaded our country, many temples were demolished and mosques were built on those sites. This is a historical fact. Baburnama mentions Harihar Temple; besides, evidence is also present in a gazette. Likewise, remains of Hindu temples have been found in Gyanvapi, Mathura, Varanasi, Ayodhya and now Jama Masjid. Therefore, it is a fact proven beyond any doubt that there were Hindu temples at these places earlier and mosques were built there demolishing them.

Besides, the Archaeological Department also has evidence about this aspect. However, the fanatics, who plan to Islamise the entire country, do not accept this fact. In fact, it terrifies them. Without understanding the reality, these fanatics are attacking and injuring the Police and Hindus now.

Earlier, when the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) surveyed the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, a total of 55 stone sculptures including Idols of Hindu Deities were found there. The remains of a Hindu temple were found in Ayodhya. After seeing evidence that the mosque was built on the remains of a temple, the retired Regional Director of ASI, KK Mohammed had asked the Muslims to hand over the Babri Masjid area to Hindus.

Hindus in the entire locality of Harihar Temple know that it is definitely a Hindu temple. This temple has been the centre of people’s faith. Babur had demolished the Shriram Mandir of Ayodhya and the Harihar Temple of Sambhal and built mosques over them.

Enough evidence about the existence of Harihar Temple

Mahant Rishiraj Giri of the Keladevi Temple in Sambhal not only makes a claim about the Jama Masjid, but also says with full confidence that it is a Hindu temple and will continue to remain ours. Conversely, the Muslim side says that there is no record of the existence of a temple here and that the claims about the Hindu temple are baseless. For the records, Hindus have been claiming that there is a temple on the site of the Jama Masjid for a very long time.

On 19th November, 8 people went to the District Court and filed a petition on this matter. In the Supreme Court, the Hindu side is represented mainly by Adv. Hari Shankar Jain, and his son, Adv. Vishnu Shankar Jain. Both are also handling the cases of Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Mathura, Kashi and Bhojashala.

Apart from this, the list of petitioners include Partha Yadav, Mahant Rishiraj Giri of the Kela Temple, Mahant Dinanath, social activists Vedpal Singh, Madanpal, Rakesh Kumar and Jeetpal Yadav. The Hindu side claims that there was a Shri Harihar Temple at this site, which was demolished by Babur in 1526 and a mosque was built in its place. The Hindu party has based its 95-page petition filed in the Sambhal Court on 2 books and a report. These include the books – Baburnama, Ain-e-Akbari and a 150-year-old report of the ASI.

Abolish the Places of Worship Act

The Congress Government under the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao brought into force a Law under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. According to this Law, the religious identity of any place of worship in the country should be maintained as it was on our Independence Day, meaning, on August 15, 1947. The Law prohibits the conversion of any place of worship. Basically, this Law has been made in an incorrect manner only to appease Muslims. In fact, the Mughals demolished many renowned temples in the country and built mosques over them. Therefore, to save these mosques, the Muslims had cunningly forced the Congress Government to pass a Law. The Union Government should repeal it and pass a Bill in the Parliament that empowers the villages to build temples where remains of temples have been found in mosques.

This issue is not only about temples in Uttar Pradesh, a similar situation exists in other States as well. Since there is enough evidence of the existence of temples, there is no reason for anyone to object it.

Stop appeasing religious fanatics

Ten years ago, Congress was in power in the country. Therefore, no one claimed temples that were demolished to build mosques; however, the situation has changed with time. Hence, now such claims are being filed. In the past 70 years, religious fanatics have oppressed Hindus through Love Jihad, Land Jihad, Waqf Board, religious conversions, cow-slaughter, riots, etc.

Now, religious fanatics are moving towards Islamising India by creating chaos in the country. Whenever religious fanatics feel a threat to their existence and property, they organise riots and thrash Hindus. They loot Hindus’ property. The Union Government should not indulge in appeasing these fanatics, but punish them.

Some Saints have been fighting for the Harihar Temple for many years. This has only come to the world’s attention today. A legal battle has now started on this issue. All evidence in this case has been presented in the Court. Since it is proven that the Harihar Temple existed earlier than the mosque, the Muslim party should peacefully hand it over to Hindus and set an example of unity. This is what Hindus expect.

Hindus should fight unitedly

Hindus elsewhere should also unite and try to free temples from the clutches of mosques. Muslims have started claiming their rights over many Hindu lands and temples through the Waqf Board Act. A pro-Hindu Government has come to power in Maharashtra. It is necessary for Hindus to unite, and with this Government, fight till the end to take control of Hindu temples and their property. If Hindus remain oblivious to this, they will have to regret it for the rest of their lives !

It is necessary for Hindus to unite, and with this Government, fight till the end to take control of Hindu temples and property !