Amid the legal tussle over the survey of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Swami Prasad Maurya on Wednesday said many Hindu temples presently in India were Buddhist religious places in the past adding that such Hindu temples were built by demolishing Buddhist monasteries and temples and if the survey is taking place, it should also be surveyed what was before the Hindu temple.
“The matter (Gyanvapi issue) is under consideration in the court, it will be not right to comment over it. But, if the survey is taking place, it should also be surveyed what was before the Hindu temple. I believe most of the present Hindu temples were Buddhist religious places like temples, monasteries or learning centres. They (Hindu temples) have been constructed after demolishing them,” said Mr. Maurya, a former U.P. Minister.
The SP leader added that the ruling BJP is intentionally bringing polarising issues to the forefront to gain political dividends before elections. “The BJP creates communal division in the society among Hindus and Muslims by intentionally bringing polarising issues on the forefront to gain political dividend before elections,” he added.
