Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Archaeologist Criticizes BJP's Heritage Preservation Efforts
K K Muhammed, a famous archaeologist, talked about how the BJP government in India has not done a good job of taking care of old temples and historical sites.
He said that when the Congress party was in power, they gave more money to fix and protect these places.
He also mentioned that Muslims should give back two important places, Gyanvapi and Mathura, to Hindus because they are very special to them, just like Mecca and Medina are to Muslims.
He believes that Hinduism is a very understanding religion and that in the future, more people might follow it.
He also thinks that India stays a secular country because it has a majority of Hindus.
Archaeologist K K Muhammed criticizes the BJP government for neglecting India's cultural heritage, particularly during its first five years in power (2014-2019).
The BJP government reduced the budget for monument conservation from Rs 25 lakhs to Rs 3 lakhs, which was later increased to Rs 25 lakhs in 2019.
Muhammed argues that under the Congress government, 90 temples were restored, while only 10 were restored during the BJP's 11 years in power.
He suggests that Muslims should hand over Gyanvapi and Mathura to Hindus, as these sites hold significant religious and emotional value for them.
Muhammed believes that Hinduism is a large-hearted and accommodative religion, and that it could be the future religion for humanity.
- Who
- K K Muhammed, an archaeologist and former Regional Director of the Archaeological Survey of India
- What
- Criticism of the BJP government's handling of India's cultural heritage and a call for Muslims to hand over Gyanvapi and Mathura to Hindus
- When
- The interview was conducted recently, with references to events from 2014 to 2024
- Where
- India, with specific mentions of sites like the Babri Masjid, Bateshwar temple complex, Gyanvapi, and Mathura
- Why
- To highlight the neglect of India's cultural heritage under the BJP government and to discuss the emotional and religious significance of certain sites to Hindus
- Person
- K K Muhammed
- Role
- Archaeologist, former Regional Director, Archaeological Survey of India
- Key Sites
- Babri Masjid, Bateshwar temple complex, Gyanvapi, Mathura
- Congress Government
- Rs 25 lakhs allotted for monument conservation
- BJP Government
- Reduced to Rs 3 lakhs, later increased to Rs 25 lakhs in 2019
- Temples Restored
- 90 temples during Congress period, 10 during BJP rule
- Key Quote
- Hinduism is a very accommodative religion; you can go to the temple or not go to the temple.