Mughal descendant raises prayer pitch at historical monument

  • | Wednesday | 22nd March, 2017

Historical structure Bibi-Ka- Maqbara must be given public access for prayers like it is done in Taj Mahal. "We have already made our stand known in writing to those who are raising the demand for public access to mosque for prayers," said an official. He slammed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for arbitrarily closing down the mosque situated inside the historical monument.The ASI, in whose possession the mausoleum is, continues to stand by its decision of not allowing prayers inside the maqbara, saying that it is "a non-living monument". "Denying access to the mosque would be a violation of our fundamental right," Tucy told reporters.Tucy, who has come from Hyderabad, is camping in the city to press for the demand. "We will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi shortly.

Aurangabad: Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, the sixth descendent of Mughul emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, on Wednesday produced an official document in support of his claim that prayers were offered inside Bibi-Ka- Maqbara till 1969.Tucy produced documents pertaining to salaries of staff who were associated with the prayers at the mausoleum. He slammed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for arbitrarily closing down the mosque situated inside the historical monument.The ASI, in whose possession the mausoleum is, continues to stand by its decision of not allowing prayers inside the maqbara, saying that it is "a non-living monument"."Denying access to the mosque would be a violation of our fundamental right," Tucy told reporters.Tucy, who has come from Hyderabad, is camping in the city to press for the demand. He said that opening the mausoleum for prayers will ensure the maintenance of the structure.The 49-year-old Mughal descendant said that if prayers are not allowed inside the mosque, he will approach the ministry concerned as well as top officials of the ASI in Delhi."We will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi shortly. Historical structure Bibi-Ka- Maqbara must be given public access for prayers like it is done in Taj Mahal. But, before starting our agitation, we will be meeting the ministry officials concerned and ASI's top officials," he said.On Tuesday, the police denied permission to hold a protest at the maqbara.The ASI officials refused to comment on the fresh claims made by the Tucy. "We have already made our stand known in writing to those who are raising the demand for public access to mosque for prayers," said an official.

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