New Delhi: Widespread protests by Hindu groups over the renaming of the historic Qutub Minar. Protesters demanded that the Qutub Minar be renamed ‘Vishnu Pillar’. Hindu activists gathered near the Qutub Minar to protest Hanuman Chalisa. Meanwhile, a group of activists approached the Qutub Minar carrying saffron flags and placards chanting Hanuman Chalisa, but were stopped by police. Thirty Hindu activists were arrested by the police.
Hanuman Chalisa was organized outside the Qutub Minar under the leadership of Bhagwan Goel, President of the United Hindu Front Working Group. They had also called on other Hindu organizations to participate in it. From this morning onwards, the police had set up heavy security in the Qutub Minar area.
“Protesting in the middle of the road will cause heavy traffic congestion,” he said. This will cause great inconvenience to the passengers as well. That is why the protesters were arrested and removed. They will be released later, police said.
Bhagwan Goyal claimed that the historic Qutub Minar was actually a pillar of Lord Vishnu. He pointed out that it was built by King Vikramaditya.
The Qutub Minar was built by Maharaja Vikramaditya. It was later credited to Qutbuddin Aybak. There were 27 temples in the area where the Qutub Minar is located. All this was destroyed by Aybak. This is evidenced by the presence of idols of Hindu deities around the Qutub Minar. That is why we want to change the name of Qutb Minar to Vishnu Pillar, ”said Bhagwan Goel.
Protesters chanted “Jai Shriram” and chanted “Hanuman Chalisa” outside the Qutub Minar. They also had placards saying that the Qutub Minar should be named following the Vishnu pillar.
Earlier, the court had rejected a petition seeking restoration of Hindu-Jain shrines at the Qutub Minar compound and freedom of worship. The court also observed that it was not right to give away the centers which were once declared as protected monuments by the Central Government for other purposes.
Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP has demanded that the capital be renamed Akbar Road, Humayun’s Road, Aurangzeb Lane and Tughlaq Lane, two prominent centers named following the Mughal emperors. In a letter to the chairman of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta demanded that the names be changed to those of Maharana Pratap, Guru Gobind Singh, Valmiki Maharshi and General Vipin Rawat.
English Summary: Hanuman Chalisa in Qutub Minar Complex; Delhi Police on Alert
