Intellectuals, historians, and religious scholars have condemned the demand, calling it an attempt to erase India’s rich and diverse history
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A fresh controversy erupted after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanded the removal of graves, tombs, and monuments associated with Muslim rulers in Delhi. The right-wing Hindu organisation has also called for renaming India’s capital from Delhi to ‘Indraprastha’ and installing statues of Hindu historical figures in place of Mughal-era structures.
The VHP demand follows similar calls in Maharashtra, where protests erupted over the presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Speaking at a meeting of Delhi VHP officials, Surendra Gupta, the organisation’s state minister, insisted on Sunday that India must erase the “symbols of invaders” and replace them with memorials to Hindu warriors who fought against them.
“The time has come to cleanse India of these remnants of foreign rule. We must reclaim our heritage and honour our ancestors,” Gupta declared in his speech, urging the government to take immediate legal and administrative action.
Muslim intellectuals, historians, and religious scholars have condemned the demand, calling it an attempt to erase India’s rich and diverse history.
Noted historian Professor Iqbal Ansari stated, “This is not just an attack on Muslim heritage; it is an attempt to rewrite history. Delhi, with its historical landmarks, is a testament to India’s pluralistic past. Removing these monuments would mean erasing an integral part of the country’s identity.”
Prominent Islamic scholar Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind warned that such actions could lead to severe communal disharmony. “These calls for destruction are deeply divisive. India is a country of many religions, and its heritage belongs to all. By demolishing historical sites, are we not setting a dangerous precedent?” he questioned.
The demand has triggered strong reactions from Muslims across the country, who feel targeted by these attempts to remove Islamic contributions from Indian history.
Delhi resident and activist Feroz Alam expressed his frustration: “This is nothing but an attempt to marginalise the Muslim community. Mughal emperors like Shah Jahan and Akbar contributed immensely to India’s art, architecture, and administration. Their legacy is India’s legacy.”
Another local, Shabana Khan, said, “If the government allows this, then what’s next? Will they also erase the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri? This is an assault on our shared history.”
Experts have stressed that monuments from the Mughal era are not merely Muslim symbols but part of India’s national heritage. “We cannot selectively erase history. Delhi’s Mughal monuments bring millions of tourists and revenue to the country. Destroying them would be a cultural and economic disaster,” said Dr Ayesha Siddiqui, a researcher in historical preservation.
Several petitions are expected to be filed against this demand, with civil society groups preparing to approach the courts to ensure that India’s historical sites are protected.
The VHP’s call has heightened communal tensions, with many fearing that such demands could lead to social unrest. Delhi’s Muslim communities have expressed fear that these moves are part of a broader effort to erase their contributions to the country.
“This is not just about history; this is about our identity. If we remain silent today, tomorrow they will tell us that we do not belong here,” said Abdul Wahid, a shopkeeper in Old Delhi.
