There are many old structures and mosques all across the country that come under the ambit of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and offering prayers therein is not allowed. For years the structures are locked and ASI has taken full control over them. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has demanded from the ASI to open up mosques that fall under its ambit so that Muslims could offer prayers there. In a letter to K Rahman Khan, Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretary-General of the organisation, drew the attention of the minister to the plight of the Muslims in the country. Muslims, who are the second largest majority in the country, have suffered a lot at the hands of the government because of its negative attitude and unjust actions against them.
He wrote that it is because of the government that the wakf has lost many of its properties worth crores of rupees and it is one of the departments of the government (read ASI) which has prohibited offering prayers at the mosques falling under its control. He further wrote that it is extremely heart-rending and painful that the Muslims are not allowed to pray in such a mosque; however in the same mosque people can easily go with their shoes on, children can play cricket, hooligans and other anti-social elements are free to take beer and alcohol along, illegal constructions are being made on the same lands and all this is not unlawful. What becomes unlawful is when Muslims go to the mosques to offer their daily prayers, which is one of the pillars of their faith. The holy places are being used for all purposes, many of them are totally inacceptable; however if one prays there then he is booked under the law. It is sad that even after 65 years of independence the Indian government has not done away with the shrewd politics of the British.
He further wrote that in the independent India the Ministry of Minority of Affairs was formed but no attention was paid to this problem and no efforts were made to end the practice which was started by the British. At the end, Mr. Ali wrote that the present oppression could be ended by making small changes in the present ASI Act. He asked Mr. K Rahman Khan to give special attention to the cause and do the needful.