Lok Sabha Question No. 3335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-10
Subject: Maintenance of Mosques in Delhi
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3335

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.8.2015

SRAVANA 19, 1937 (SAKA)

MAINTENANCE OF MOSQUES IN DELHI

| 3335.   | SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:   |    |
|---------|-------------------------|----|

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

| (a)   | whether the Government is aware of the fact that there are many historical mosques in Delhi which are in dire conditions as Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stopped people to perform prayer there;    |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b)   | if so, the number of such mosques in Delhi;                                                                                                                                                                     |
| (c)   | whether the Government is considering to instruct ASI to allow people for prayers because it is the easy and proper way to keep these historical mosques maintained;                                            |
| (d)   | if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| (e)   | if not, the reasons therefor?                                                                                                                                                                                   |

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

| (a)   | There are 30 mosques which have been declared as monuments of National importance in NCT of Delhi.  No mosque is in dire condition because of restriction on prayers imposed under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.   |
|-------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b)   | Does not arise.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| (c)   | No, Madam.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| (d)   | Does not arise.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| (e)   | As per provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, permission cannot be granted to start any new practices at the monument which was not in vogue at the time of its taken for protection.             |