New Delhi: Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sant Mahamandal and Hindu Sena on December 21 made an abortive bid to perform pooja in the Qutab Minar premises, a day after VHP-backed Ram Janambhumi Nyas hinted at raking up Ram temple issue again.

Police stopped the activists, led by Swami Pragyananda of the Mahamandal, from reaching Minar who were demanding right to perform pooja at the protected monument which they claim was "constructed by demolishing 27 Hindu and Jain temples".

"Around 150 activists who had gathered here demanding right to perform pooja were stopped from entering the protected monument and later arrested," additional deputy commissioner (South) Praveer said.

Meanwhile, before courting arrest, Swami Pragyananda accused the government of "showing double standards by stopping the volunteers who were agitating peacefully and allowing only Muslims to perform namaz at the monument".

"The Minar has been built by demolishing more than 27 temples and Hindus have a legitimate right to perform pooja at the site," Ram Kishan Gaud, general secretary, VHP, claimed and added, "Our organisation will carry on the struggle."

"The government should hand over the site to Hindus, as the Archaeological Survey of India itself had installed boards which say the structure was built over temples," Narendra Sharma, general secretary of Hindu Sena, a wing of Shiv Sena, said, adding the "sculptures in the walls of the monument are also proof of remnants of temples".

PTI