KK Mohammad says if we try to find a temple under every mosque, our condition may become like Syria or Afghanistan
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — As tensions escalate over claims of Hindu temples beneath several mosques across the country, former Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Director KK Mohammad has warned that such disputes could push India towards a civil war.
Speaking at the Vikram Utsav in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, he expressed concern over the increasing number of legal and social confrontations stemming from these claims and called for peaceful dialogue instead of confrontation.
Vikram Utsav is an annual celebration of Indian culture.
The controversy, which began with the Babri Masjid dispute, has now spread across the country. Recently, Hindu organisations filed a petition in court, claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was originally the Harihar Temple. Following a court order, a survey of the mosque was conducted, leading to violent clashes in which five people were killed due to gunfire.
KK Mohammad, who was part of the ASI team that surveyed the Babri Masjid, warned of grave consequences if such disputes continue. “If we try to find a temple under every mosque, a civil war can start, which is not good for the country at all. Our condition may become like Syria or Afghanistan,” he stated.
He acknowledged historical evidence showing that some mosques were built over temples but emphasised that reopening these issues would only fuel unrest. “It is true that many mosques have been constructed over temples, but if we continue searching for temples under every mosque, it will only lead to chaos in the country. We need to resolve these matters through dialogue,” he stressed.
Separately, talking to a section of the media, he refuted right-wing claims that the Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar were originally Hindu structures, he cited architectural evidence. “Some Hindu groups claim the Qutub Minar was an 11th-century Shivalinga, but in that era, Indian temples did not have arches. Traditional temple entrances had beam-supported structures. The use of arches began only in the 13th century. Similarly, the Taj Mahal features a double-dome structure, a characteristic of Mughal architecture. Single domes existed during the Sultanate period (1192–1526), while double domes appeared in the Mughal era (1526 onward), proving the Taj Mahal’s Mughal origins,” he said.
At the Vikram Utsav, he drew a parallel with conflict zones like Israel and Afghanistan and urged authorities and the public to handle such sensitive issues with mutual understanding. “Archaeologists find remains of the past at many sites, but making it a reason for dispute is not wise. Society must find a peaceful and amicable solution,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when tensions between communities have been rising due to ongoing legal battles over religious sites. The case of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, which some Hindu groups claim was built over a temple, is another example of such disputes escalating nationwide.
KK Mohammad played a crucial role in the ASI survey of the Babri Masjid site. The evidence he helped gather was significant in the court’s decision, ultimately contributing to the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Hindu side in 2019. His recent statement, however, highlights the need for restraint and dialogue to prevent further communal strife.
