Archaeologist K.K. Muhammed, who was part of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team that excavated the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya in 1976, feels that the BJP has not prioritised culture, specially with regard to conservation and excavation of heritage sites since coming to power.
“When the BJP had come to power, we had expected that there would be qualitative and quantitative change as far as protection, conservation and excavation of sites was concerned, but that has not happened,” he told The Hindu.
Mr. Muhammed served as the Regional Director (North) of the Archaeological Survey of India. He is credited for the discovery of Ibadat Khana in Fatehpur Sikri, as well as various prominent Buddhist stupas and monuments.
He was a part of the 1976 excavation of the Babri Masjid, led by B. B. Lal.
During his career, he undertook the restoration of the Bateshwar temple Complex in Madhya Pradesh, successfully convincing Maoist insurgents and dacoits to cooperate, as well as the facelift and restoration of the Dantewada and Bhojeshwar temples in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh respectively.
Giving the example of the Bateshwar temples, he says nowhere the kind of excavation needed is taking place. “In Bateshwar, we had reconstructed 90 temples. But during BJP rule, only 10 have happened. That too after trying a lot”.
“No priority has been given to cultural heritage. There is a general feeling that they are not doing anything”, he said.
Asked what could be the reason behind this, Prof. Muhammed added that perhaps they (the ruling BJP) think that now they are in power and no one can criticise them with regard to culture.
“We thought there would be kind of more interest in culture but it was not that way. Excavations in various other parts should have been taken up by the government, but that is not happening”.
He also said that excavation works in certain sites like Old Fort in Delhi has stopped due to lack of clearance.
Published – December 02, 2025 10:38 am IST
