Saharanpur, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhada Parishad, has called for an investigation into a 20-foot deep well uncovered at the site of a demolished mosque in Saharanpur. He expressed concerns that the mosque’s construction may have involved the destruction of Hindu religious sites. The decision to demolish the mosque has been welcomed by the saint community.
The illegal mosque, located within the Saharanpur collectorate premises, was taken down, revealing the well beneath. Authorities, including police and local administration, are currently on-site and have covered the well.
In a conversation with a news agency, Puri noted that the Saharanpur case was already under judicial consideration. He pointed out that the land on which the mosque stood was government property and suggested that it should have been relocated earlier. The district judge had ordered the mosque’s demolition, citing its illegal construction and ongoing inappropriate activities. Puri urged the Muslim community to avoid escalating tensions regarding the mosque’s demolition and suggested they build a new mosque elsewhere, assuring that the Hindu community would support such efforts.
He emphasized that the well’s discovery warranted investigation by the Archaeological Department. Puri highlighted the significance of water bodies in Hindu rituals, including weddings and rites of passage. If any deity’s idol is found at the site, he insisted that it should be cleaned and examined. He urged the government to investigate whether Hindu religious sites were destroyed to construct the mosque.
Mahamandaleshwar Ishwar Das Maharaj, national secretary of the All India Saints Committee, has also backed the mosque’s demolition. He referenced historical instances where mosques were allegedly built over temples and urged Muslims to acknowledge these facts to foster communal harmony.
Das Maharaj stated, “This is not a surprising event. The Ram Temple is a prime example. You can also see the Qutub Minar and the Taj Mahal in Delhi, where our Tejo Mahalay, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, was destroyed for construction.” He mentioned that if demands for justice continue, many such examples could emerge.
He noted that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered immediate action and urged the Muslim community to accept the truth, suggesting that acknowledgment of past mistakes could enhance goodwill and reduce outrage. He pointed out that numerous sites in Uttar Pradesh feature mosques built over ancient temples.
Swami Gopalacharya Maharaj, president of the All India Saints Committee in Rishikesh, supported the administration’s actions regarding the mosque’s demolition. He claimed that Hindu religious structures previously existed at that location.
Gopalacharya Maharaj remarked, “It’s essential to understand that not only Hindus but the entire Muslim community is aware that where mosques currently stand, there were previously places linked to Hindu society. During past actions, those Hindu sites—whether temples, monasteries, or ashrams—were demolished. This is why we see numerous mosques today.” He praised the administration’s swift action and noted that previous governments had distanced themselves from such issues, leading to widespread discontent among Hindus.
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