Apropos Shri Prafull Goradia's article on the Rudramahalaya complex at Siddhpur, Gujarat, the records do not bear out his contention that the 'work of the ASI was halted by the intervention of the Minorities Commission' or that 'the Commission worked at the behest of narrow local vested interests'.

The complex including the Jama Masjid were and are protected monuments of national importance. Protected monuments, by definition, are not excavation sites. Excavation follows its own rules. In this case, in the name of repair and renovation of the Masjid, which was its prescribed duty, the ASI began large-scale excavation all around and within the Masjid, in which some ancient  relics were discovered. The discovery ignited the communal fuse and the local Hindutva forces began an agitation for the stoppage of Namaz in Masjid and for its demolition. Communal violence followed on 14.3.1980.

The matter was brought to the notice of the Commission by the Trustees of the Masjid after the ASI failed to fulfill successive undertakings for repair and maintenance works and had instead begun large-scale excavations.

The Commission made some suggestion for settlement in consultations with the representatives of the two communities and the Adviser to the Governor (Gujarat being under President's rule). The Commission team included Justice M.R.A. Ansari, A.C.M. Arjun Singh and Rev. Kushak Bakula. The suggestions included the preservation of the complex as a national monument, respect to the sanctity of the Masjid, filling up of the excavation sites around the Masjid and stoppages of further excavation, rebuilding of the western wall of the Masjid, stoppage of religious worship or gathering in the complex and the provision of an alternative site for the Masjid for the Muslim community of Siddhpur.

Obviously the Commission took pains to reconcile the rival claims to find a satisfactory settlement. The Commission only made suggestion for the Central and State Governments to follow. It had no executive authority and could not direct the ASI.

Neither national nor international law permits excavation under or near historic monuments. Does Shri Goradia want all historic sites to be dug up to reveal. What lies underneath?

The fact is that the ASI has not paid due attention to the maintenance of Muslim monuments in its charge. A look at the protected Muslim monuments in Delhi alone will bear this out. Is protection an euphemism for continued decay and eventual disintegration?