Qutub Minar at centre of Gyanvapi-like row; Culture minister denies passing excavation order

Union Culture Minister GK Reddy has denied media reports that said that the Archaeological Survey of India has been ordered to do excavations at the Qutub Minar complex.

Amid the raging Gyanvapi row, some sections of the media had reported that the Culture ministry directed the Archaeological Survey of India to carry out excavation at the Qutub Minar.

An iconography of idols at the Qutub Minar complex has also been ordered, media reports had said.


For some time, the Qutub Minar in Delhi was in sights of some sections, who seek to rename it Vishnu Stambh, on the lines of Tejo Mahalaya for the iconic Taj Mahal. These sections say the Stambh was built by King Vikramaditya.

According to certain groups, Qutub Minar was earlier a site of Hindu and Jain temples.

They say there once were as many as 27 temples at the site that were razed by Qutubuddin Aibak. Proof lies in the Hindu idols that are kept in the complex, PTI reported quoting one Bhagwan Goyal, an office bearer of the United Hindu Front.