House Panel Recommends Prayers, Rituals at Protected Sites of 'Religious Significance'

Relevance: GS1 - Art & Culture, Indian Culture, Salient aspects of Architecture from ancient to modern times, Archaeological Survey of India(ASI), Parliamentary Standing Committee, Conservation of historical monuments, Cultural Heritage Preservation

Primary Source: The Indian Express

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Why in the news?

• Recently, a parliamentary panel has recommended allowing puja and worship at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments of religious significance.
• The panel suggests that permitting religious activities at such sites could fulfill the aspirations of many people.

What is the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the premier organization in India for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• Established in 1861, it functions under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• The ASI is responsible for the archaeological studies and the preservation of the cultural heritage of the country in accordance with various acts and rules that are centered on archaeological research and the protection of cultural heritage.
• The ASI regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) of 1958 and its Rules (1959).

What is the Current Policy of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?

• As per the policy, ASI permits worship and rituals only at monuments where such traditions were ongoing at the time the monument came under the agency's custody.
• This means that prayers are allowed at protected sites only if they were "functioning places of worship" when ASI took charge of them.
• For instance, the Taj Mahal is a well-known example of a living ASI monument where namaz is held every Friday.
• Other such living monuments include three mosques in Kannauj, the Roman Catholic Church in Meerut, the Nila Mosque in Delhi's Hauz Khas Village, and several Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh.
• However, according to ASI rules, no religious rituals are permitted at non-living monuments – those places where there has been no continuity of worship since they became ASI-protected sites.
• This distinction is important because, of the 3,693 centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the ASI, less than a quarter (820) have places of worship, and the rest are considered non-living monuments where new religious rituals are not allowed.
• The Ministry of Culture has noted that, as per policy, revival of worship is not allowed where it was not in vogue at the time of protection by the ASI or has been abandoned since long.

What are the Parliamentary Committee's Recommendations?

• Permitting Religious Activities at Monuments: The committee suggested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should explore the possibility of allowing puja, worship, and certain religious activities at Centrally Protected Monuments of religious significance.
• This recommendation is based on the view that several historical monuments hold immense religious importance for many people, and permitting religious activities could fulfill the legitimate aspirations of these people.
• Conditions for Religious Activities: The committee recommended that any permitted religious activities should not negatively impact the conservation and preservation of the monuments.
• This condition is crucial to ensure that the historical and cultural integrity of these sites is maintained.

Response of Ministry of Culture

• While the ministry has noted the recommendation and is exploring its feasibility, it adheres to the existing policy decision that disallows the revival of worship at sites where it was not in practice at the time of the monument coming under ASI's protection or has been long abandoned.
• The ministry's stance is consistent with the ASI's rules, which permit prayers at protected sites only if they were "functioning places of worship" when ASI took charge.
• The ministry, while open to considering the committee's recommendations, remains committed to the principle that such activities should not negatively impact the conservation and preservation of the monuments.

Concerns of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• Preservation and Conservation Issues: The ASI is cautious about permitting religious activities at these sites due to concerns about the potential impact on their state of conservation and preservation.
• Violation of ASI Norms: There have been instances where prayers or rituals were conducted at sites classified as 'non-living' monuments, such as the Martand Sun Temple. These actions were against ASI rules and raised concerns about setting precedents for similar violations at other sites.
• Managing 'Living' and 'Non-Living' Monuments: The ASI distinguishes between 'living' monuments (where worship was ongoing when they took over) and 'non-living' monuments (where worship was not ongoing or had been abandoned).
  • Decisions to permit religious activities at 'non-living' monuments challenge this classification and create complexities in management.
• Concerns about Unauthorized Worship: There are cases of unauthorized worship at some protected monuments. These activities are against ASI rules and raise concerns about the unauthorized use of heritage sites.

Parliamentary Panel's Critique of Ministry

• The panel criticized the Ministry for providing action-taken notes on only 21 out of 35 recommendations regarding "untraceable monuments."
• The committee reiterated the need for the Ministry and ASI to conduct surveys to identify monuments in a time-bound manner.
• It also recommended that the survey results, including data on expenditure and problems surrounding the monuments, should be made public.

Conclusion

There needs to be a balance between religious aspirations and conservation. The recommendation, if implemented, could redefine the management of religiously significant monuments under ASI.

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FAQs

MCQs

Question: With reference to Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with: (UPSC 2023)

(a) archaeological excavation

(b) establishment of English Press in Colonial India

(c) establishment of churches in Princely States

(d) construction of railways in Colonial India

With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? (UPSC 2015)

(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar

(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

Question: According to ASI rules, which of the following is a prerequisite for allowing prayers at its protected sites?

(a) The site must be of historical significance.

(b) Prayers are allowed if the local community demands it.

(c) The site must have been a functioning place of worship at the time of ASI taking charge.

(d) The site should be at least 1000 years old.