House Panel recommend Prayer at protected site of religious significance
- December 11, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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House Panel recommend Prayer at protected site of religious significance
Subject: History
Section: Art and Culture
Context: House Panel recommend Prayer at protected site of religious significance
More about the news:
- A parliamentary panel in India has recommended exploring the possibility of allowing puja (worship) and religious activities at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments that have religious significance.
- This could open the door for rituals at dilapidated temples, dargahs, churches, and other religious sites.
- The ASI currently permits worship at monuments where traditions were ongoing at the time of custody.
- The Ministry of Culture will explore the feasibility, but the policy generally prohibits reviving worship if it wasn’t present during ASI protection or has been abandoned for a long time.
Why prayers are held at some protected sites:
- According to Archaeological Survey of India rules, prayers are allowed at protected sites only if they were “functioning places of worship” at the time the ASI took charge of them.
- Some well-known examples include the Taj Mahal, where namaz is held every Friday, and other living monuments such as three mosques in Kannauj, the Roman Catholic Church in Meerut, Nila Mosque in Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village, and various Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh.
- However, many protected monuments also witness “unauthorized worship,” as per ASI records, including Lal Gumbad, Sultan Ghari’s tomb, and Ferozeshah Kotla, all in Delhi.
Some facts about the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
- ASI is the premier organization for archaeological research, scientific analysis, excavation of archaeological sites, and conservation and preservation of protected monuments.
- It is an attached office under the Department of Culture (Ministry of Culture).
- ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who became its first Director-General.
What are the Regulation and protection of monuments:
- The ASI regulates construction around the protected monuments through the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Act, 2010.
- The Act prohibits the construction of 100 metres around a protected monument. The next 300-metre radius is regulated too.
- Further amendments have been proposed which seek to do away with the ban on construction within 100 metres of a ASI-protected monument and regulate construction within 100-200 metres, under the Act that protects monuments and sites over 100 years old.
- This is expected to give more powers to the ASI on the encroachments.
What is a National Monument
- ‘Ancient Monument’ is defined under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,1958
- The Act defines Ancient Monument as any structure or monument or any cave, rock sculpture, an inscription that is of historical, or archaeological interest.
- Further, Ancient Monument has to be in existence for not less than 100 years
- Maintained by: The Central Government is authorised to maintain, protect and promote Monuments of National Importance.
- Nodal Authority: Monuments of National Importance are designated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).