The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been directed by the Union Ministry of Culture to conduct idol excavation and iconography at the Qutub Minar complex
Govind Mohan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, visited the World Heritage Site on Saturday, prompting the decision. According to News18, ministry authorities have instructed ASI to investigate "to learn the facts."
Three historians, four ASI officers, and researchers accompanied Mohan to the site. The excavation work at the Qutub Minar complex has not been done since 1991, according to ASI authorities.
Several hindu organisations have called for the renaming of Qutub Minar and the complex, claiming that the area was once used for Hindu and Jain temples.
The government has also requested that the ASI submit its excavation report, and the procedure can begin 15 metres south of the minaret.
A right-wing group held a demonstration outside the Qutub Minar complex two weeks ago, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and requesting that the landmark structure be renamed 'Vishnu Stambha.' At least 30 protesters have been arrested and taken to a police station, where they will be freed later, according to authorities.
"They were detained because they couldn't protest in the middle of the road, causing traffic jams and causing commuter inconvenience," a police official explained. Bhagwan Goyal, the United Hindu Front's international working president, stated that the Qutub Minar is the 'Vishnu Stambha,' which was built by the "great king Vikramaditya."
"However, it was afterwards claimed by Qutubuddin Aibak. The complex had 27 temples, all of which were destroyed by Aibak. People might see Hindu god idols stored in the Qutub Minar complex as proof of all of this. He told PTI, "Our demand is that Qutub Minar be renamed Vishnu Stambha." The protestors chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’, recited the Hanuman Chalisa and displayed placards reading “Qutub Minar should be called Vishnu Stambha", after the Hindu God Vishnu.