The Gyanvapi case took a fresh turn after the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) report made public. Hindu side Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain informed that ASI has made a “conclusive finding” in the report. He further said that ASI found a pre-existing Hindu temple structure before construction of the existing structure. In a podcast with ANI Editor Smita Prakash, CM Yogi said it would be controversial to call Gyanvapi a mosque.
Tag: ASI
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BREAKING: Gyanvapi Masjid Survey Case: ASI Submits Report To Varanasi District Court |
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday submitted its report on the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. ASI submitted a sealed report on the Gyanvapi Mosque survey to the Varanasi court. The ASI submitted the report before the Varanasi district Judge AK Vishvesha. On the other hand, a petition has been moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (which manages Gyanvapi Mosque) seeking information about the survey report,
It may be noted that the ASI conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi as per the July 21 order of the Varanasi District Judge to determine if the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
ASI’s advocate Amit Kumar, while speaking to reporters, said several important evidence pointing to the existence of a temple, have been found and submitted to the court. Advocate Amit Kumar said that the ASI report is very crucial and will play a decisive role in settling the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute between the Hindu and the Muslim sides.
It may be noted that the ASI had earlier requested the Varanasi District Court, seeking additional time to conclude the survey and submit its report. Varanasi District Court Judge AK Vishvesh had then fixed December 18 as the next date of hearing in the matter. It is important to note that the district court has already given several extensions in the past to the ASI to submit its survey report.
Earlier on November 30, the district court had given 10 days and ordered the ASI to file the report within the “provided time.” Before November 30, the court had asked the ASI to submit its report on November 17, and later on November 28 to file its report.
Importantly, on August 4, the Supreme Court refused to stop the ASI from surveying the Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi, except the ‘wuzukhana’ area where a ‘shivling’ was claimed to have been found last year.
Taking on record an undertaking made on behalf of the ASI that no excavation would be done at the site and no damage would be caused to the structure, the court had allowed the survey to take place.
On November 2, the ASI told the district court it had “completed” the survey but would need some more time to compile the report, along with the details of the equipment used in the survey.
The ASI had been surveying since August 4 on the mosque premises. The survey was ordered by a Varanasi court on July 21, following a petition by four women who sought permission to pray at the Shringar Gauri Shrine which is behind the western wall of the temple.
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Supreme Court refuses to halt ASI survey at Gyanvapi mosque, says it should be ‘non-invasive’
Express News Service
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to halt the ASI survey which is currently being carried at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, dismissing a plea filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the Allahabad High Court’s order allowing it.
A bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra allowed a “non-invasive survey” without causing any excavation or destruction of the mosque.
The bench also turned down the Masjid Committee’s request to direct the ASI to submit its report to the district judge in a “sealed cover”.
“The order of the trial judge under order 26 rule 10A CPC cannot prima facie be construed to be without jurisdiction. While recording submissions to the effect that the survey shall not involve any excavation or destruction, we also order and direct for conducting the process by using non-invasive methodology. There shall be no excavation at the site. The report of the ASI shall in terms of provisions of order 26 be remitted to the trial court,” the bench said in its order.
ALSO READ | ASI begins survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex amid tight security
Challenging the High Court’s order, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appearing for the masjid committee said that the act of conducting the survey was contrary to the provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. “When you start digging into the past, the process is such that you are uncovering the past. When you order a survey, when you see as to what existed, you’re unravelling the wounds of the past,” Ahmadi said.
On the other hand, senior advocate Madhavi Diwan submitted that the survey was neither prejudicial nor adversarial.
Earlier, an Allahabad HC bench led by Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker had said the survey is necessary in the interest of justice and noted the ASI’s stand that no damage will be caused to the mosque.
“Once the Department of Archaeology and learned Senior Counsel representing the Department have made their stand clear that no damage is going to be caused to the property in question, this Court has no reason to doubt their statements and most importantly, the affidavit filed by the officer of the ASI explaining the circumstances. Further, it is settled proposition of law that issue of a Commission, at this stage, is permissible. In the opinion of the Court, the scientific survey/investigation proposed to be carried out by the Commission, is necessary in the interest of justice and shall benefit the plaintiffs and defendants alike and come in aid of the trial court to arrive at a just decision. The law laid down and discussed above, make it clear that the Court below was justified in passing the impugned order. The present petition lacks substance and is liable to be dismissed,” the HC had said in its order.
Challenging the order, the Masjid Committee in the plea had said that the HC went into the nature of exercise but did not consider the sensitivity of the order passed in 2021. It was also contended that the Supreme Court’s order to protect the Wazukhana protected the whole mosque and not just the particular area.
“The impugned order is further liable to be set aside on account of grave risks posed by such an exercise which may have consequences throughout the country, as have been witnessed throughout these proceedings since a survey of the Gyanwapi Mosque was permitted, absolutely against the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991,” the plea stated.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to halt the ASI survey which is currently being carried at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, dismissing a plea filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the Allahabad High Court’s order allowing it.
A bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra allowed a “non-invasive survey” without causing any excavation or destruction of the mosque.
The bench also turned down the Masjid Committee’s request to direct the ASI to submit its report to the district judge in a “sealed cover”.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“The order of the trial judge under order 26 rule 10A CPC cannot prima facie be construed to be without jurisdiction. While recording submissions to the effect that the survey shall not involve any excavation or destruction, we also order and direct for conducting the process by using non-invasive methodology. There shall be no excavation at the site. The report of the ASI shall in terms of provisions of order 26 be remitted to the trial court,” the bench said in its order.
ALSO READ | ASI begins survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex amid tight security
Challenging the High Court’s order, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appearing for the masjid committee said that the act of conducting the survey was contrary to the provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. “When you start digging into the past, the process is such that you are uncovering the past. When you order a survey, when you see as to what existed, you’re unravelling the wounds of the past,” Ahmadi said.
On the other hand, senior advocate Madhavi Diwan submitted that the survey was neither prejudicial nor adversarial.
Earlier, an Allahabad HC bench led by Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker had said the survey is necessary in the interest of justice and noted the ASI’s stand that no damage will be caused to the mosque.
“Once the Department of Archaeology and learned Senior Counsel representing the Department have made their stand clear that no damage is going to be caused to the property in question, this Court has no reason to doubt their statements and most importantly, the affidavit filed by the officer of the ASI explaining the circumstances. Further, it is settled proposition of law that issue of a Commission, at this stage, is permissible. In the opinion of the Court, the scientific survey/investigation proposed to be carried out by the Commission, is necessary in the interest of justice and shall benefit the plaintiffs and defendants alike and come in aid of the trial court to arrive at a just decision. The law laid down and discussed above, make it clear that the Court below was justified in passing the impugned order. The present petition lacks substance and is liable to be dismissed,” the HC had said in its order.
Challenging the order, the Masjid Committee in the plea had said that the HC went into the nature of exercise but did not consider the sensitivity of the order passed in 2021. It was also contended that the Supreme Court’s order to protect the Wazukhana protected the whole mosque and not just the particular area.
“The impugned order is further liable to be set aside on account of grave risks posed by such an exercise which may have consequences throughout the country, as have been witnessed throughout these proceedings since a survey of the Gyanwapi Mosque was permitted, absolutely against the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991,” the plea stated.
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Gyanvapi case: ASI survey will reopen wounds of past, mosque committee tells SC
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Muslim body Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee told the Supreme Court on Friday the ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque intends to go into history and will ‘reopen wounds of past’.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the mosque management committee, contended before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the exercise by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is ‘digging into history’, violating the Places of Worship Act and impinging upon fraternity and secularism.
“You can’t oppose every interlocutory order on the same ground and your objections will be decided during the course of the hearing,” said the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
“The ASI survey intends to go into the history as to what happened 500 years ago. It would reopen wounds of the past,” Ahmadi said voicing displeasure over the survey ordered by the Allahabad High Court.
During the hearing, which is underway, Ahmadi said the survey violates the Places of Worship (special provisions) Act, 1991 which prohibited change of character of religious places as they existed in 1947.
The apex court is hearing a plea by the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Court order permitting an ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque.
The high court had on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee challenging a district court order directing the ASI to conduct the survey to determine if the mosque was built upon a pre-existing temple.
NEW DELHI: Muslim body Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee told the Supreme Court on Friday the ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque intends to go into history and will ‘reopen wounds of past’.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the mosque management committee, contended before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the exercise by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is ‘digging into history’, violating the Places of Worship Act and impinging upon fraternity and secularism.
“You can’t oppose every interlocutory order on the same ground and your objections will be decided during the course of the hearing,” said the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“The ASI survey intends to go into the history as to what happened 500 years ago. It would reopen wounds of the past,” Ahmadi said voicing displeasure over the survey ordered by the Allahabad High Court.
During the hearing, which is underway, Ahmadi said the survey violates the Places of Worship (special provisions) Act, 1991 which prohibited change of character of religious places as they existed in 1947.
The apex court is hearing a plea by the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Court order permitting an ASI survey at the Gyanvapi mosque.
The high court had on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee challenging a district court order directing the ASI to conduct the survey to determine if the mosque was built upon a pre-existing temple.
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From gala dinner to excursion, iconic ASI sites to host G20 delegates
By PTI
NEW DELHI: From Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra to Qutub archaeological park in Delhi, India will showcase its centuries-old architectural heritage to G20 delegates by hosting excursions and gala dinners at many of the ASI sites, starting mid-December, official sources said.
India assumed the year-long presidency of G20 on December 1. More than 200 meetings will be held in India across 55 locations. The first meeting of the G20 was held in the first week of December in Udaipur when the G20 Sherpa met.
Besides, experiencing the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of Rajasthan, delegates were also taken on a half-day excursion to the Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, officials said.
“Now, an itinerary has been drawn for the events that will take place at some of the very well-known ASI sites from December-March as part of the G20 meetings in India to showcase our cultural and architectural wealth to the delegates. These events will include excursions and gala dinners hosted with a monument in the backdrop,” an official source told PTI.
The event lined up at a centrally-protected site, immediately after the Sherpa meet in Udaipur, is a half-day excursion for delegates to Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra from December 12-15, he said.
And, tentatively, the shortlisted monuments for delegation-level visit also include Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, and a gala dinner, the source said, adding, the itinerary for the December-March period only is known so far.
There are a total of 3,693 heritage sites in India protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which falls within the purview of the Union Ministry of Culture.
The planned G20 meetings are to be hosted not just in big metros but even in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and the ASI too is gearing up to put its best foot forward.ALSO READ | Taste of India at G20 events with bit of Yoga, sip of herbal tea
“The idea behind the excursions or gala dinners at heritage sites is to bring focus on our built heritage, spanning centuries, as also to give the G20 delegates an extraordinary experience — recreational, cultural and culinary. The menu for gala dinners will also be carefully chosen,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.
The tentative itinerary for the first three months of 2023 begins with visits to sites in Pune in mid-January (January 16-17), followed by a half-day visit to Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh (January 19-20), the sources said.
In Pune, delegates will see the stunning Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada and Shivneri Fort. G20 delegates will get to see the architectural and cultural diversity of India from all corners of the country, and from January 23-24, they will immerse themselves in heritage experience in Gujarat, they said.
“Site visits in Gujarat include Rani ki Vav in Patan, Sun Temple in Modhera, Teen Darwaza or Tripolia Gate in Ahmedabad and Adalaj Stepwell near Gandhinagar,” the source said, adding the three-month itinerary is tentative and there could be a few changes later.
Around January 28, a half-day visit will be organised for delegates to Charminar and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad. From January 31-February 2, they will be hosted at the famous Shore Temple of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu.
“Choosing a cultural site for a meeting of any nature immediately brings a spotlight on that heritage, and these delegates when they will return will also talk about the cultural wealth of India in their own countries, and thus strengthen bonds too. Delegates sharing pictures from cultural sites on social media also helps promotes Indian culture abroad,” the official said. India hosting the G20 as its chair and the ASI getting an opportunity to host the delegates is a “proud moment for all of us,” he added.ALSO READ |Advaita, G20 and the chasm between illusion and reality
In early February, a half-day excursion has been planned for the delegates to Mandore Fort and Mandore Garden in Rajasthan. From February 8-9, they will pay a visit to the grand Taj Mahal in Agra, the official said.
“Mid-February, the cultural stage will shift to Maharashtra again, with Ajanta and Ellora Caves playing the host for G20 delegates from February 13-14. A gala dinner will be hosted in the lawns of the premises with the caves in the backdrop,” he said. Around February 13-15, many delegates will also visit Lucknow to see the famed Imambara and the Residency.
“Later that month, an excursion for them will take place in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh from February 23-25, and a gala dinner has been planned there too,” the official said.
Cultural sites are playing an important role during India’s Presidency of the G20, as seen in Udaipur too, and the ASI had lit up its 100 iconic sites across India from December 1-7, bearing the G20 logo to mark the occasion when India assumed the chair of the influential bloc.
In March, the focus will shift to Delhi and an excursion will be hosted at Qutub archaeological park, tentatively from March 1-2, the sources said. A gala dinner has also been planned at Mandu Fort in Madhya Pradesh as visits to Dholavira, and again a visit to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, they said. From March 6-7, full-day excursions have been planned for delegates to Nalanda university ruins, Rajgir and Gaya in Bihar, the sources said.
Later that month, the itinerary also mentions a Kerala visit from March 22-24, and sites include Mattancherry Palace, St Francis Church in Kochi, and again at Elephanta Caves from March 28-30, followed by a Gujarat excursion again from March 30-April 1, they said.ALSO READ | Climate to be ‘big focus’ as India assumes G20 presidency
NEW DELHI: From Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra to Qutub archaeological park in Delhi, India will showcase its centuries-old architectural heritage to G20 delegates by hosting excursions and gala dinners at many of the ASI sites, starting mid-December, official sources said.
India assumed the year-long presidency of G20 on December 1. More than 200 meetings will be held in India across 55 locations. The first meeting of the G20 was held in the first week of December in Udaipur when the G20 Sherpa met.
Besides, experiencing the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of Rajasthan, delegates were also taken on a half-day excursion to the Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, officials said.
“Now, an itinerary has been drawn for the events that will take place at some of the very well-known ASI sites from December-March as part of the G20 meetings in India to showcase our cultural and architectural wealth to the delegates. These events will include excursions and gala dinners hosted with a monument in the backdrop,” an official source told PTI.
The event lined up at a centrally-protected site, immediately after the Sherpa meet in Udaipur, is a half-day excursion for delegates to Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra from December 12-15, he said.
And, tentatively, the shortlisted monuments for delegation-level visit also include Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, and a gala dinner, the source said, adding, the itinerary for the December-March period only is known so far.
There are a total of 3,693 heritage sites in India protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which falls within the purview of the Union Ministry of Culture.
The planned G20 meetings are to be hosted not just in big metros but even in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and the ASI too is gearing up to put its best foot forward.ALSO READ | Taste of India at G20 events with bit of Yoga, sip of herbal tea
“The idea behind the excursions or gala dinners at heritage sites is to bring focus on our built heritage, spanning centuries, as also to give the G20 delegates an extraordinary experience — recreational, cultural and culinary. The menu for gala dinners will also be carefully chosen,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.
The tentative itinerary for the first three months of 2023 begins with visits to sites in Pune in mid-January (January 16-17), followed by a half-day visit to Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh (January 19-20), the sources said.
In Pune, delegates will see the stunning Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada and Shivneri Fort. G20 delegates will get to see the architectural and cultural diversity of India from all corners of the country, and from January 23-24, they will immerse themselves in heritage experience in Gujarat, they said.
“Site visits in Gujarat include Rani ki Vav in Patan, Sun Temple in Modhera, Teen Darwaza or Tripolia Gate in Ahmedabad and Adalaj Stepwell near Gandhinagar,” the source said, adding the three-month itinerary is tentative and there could be a few changes later.
Around January 28, a half-day visit will be organised for delegates to Charminar and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad. From January 31-February 2, they will be hosted at the famous Shore Temple of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu.
“Choosing a cultural site for a meeting of any nature immediately brings a spotlight on that heritage, and these delegates when they will return will also talk about the cultural wealth of India in their own countries, and thus strengthen bonds too. Delegates sharing pictures from cultural sites on social media also helps promotes Indian culture abroad,” the official said. India hosting the G20 as its chair and the ASI getting an opportunity to host the delegates is a “proud moment for all of us,” he added.ALSO READ |Advaita, G20 and the chasm between illusion and reality
In early February, a half-day excursion has been planned for the delegates to Mandore Fort and Mandore Garden in Rajasthan. From February 8-9, they will pay a visit to the grand Taj Mahal in Agra, the official said.
“Mid-February, the cultural stage will shift to Maharashtra again, with Ajanta and Ellora Caves playing the host for G20 delegates from February 13-14. A gala dinner will be hosted in the lawns of the premises with the caves in the backdrop,” he said. Around February 13-15, many delegates will also visit Lucknow to see the famed Imambara and the Residency.
“Later that month, an excursion for them will take place in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh from February 23-25, and a gala dinner has been planned there too,” the official said.
Cultural sites are playing an important role during India’s Presidency of the G20, as seen in Udaipur too, and the ASI had lit up its 100 iconic sites across India from December 1-7, bearing the G20 logo to mark the occasion when India assumed the chair of the influential bloc.
In March, the focus will shift to Delhi and an excursion will be hosted at Qutub archaeological park, tentatively from March 1-2, the sources said. A gala dinner has also been planned at Mandu Fort in Madhya Pradesh as visits to Dholavira, and again a visit to Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Karnataka, they said. From March 6-7, full-day excursions have been planned for delegates to Nalanda university ruins, Rajgir and Gaya in Bihar, the sources said.
Later that month, the itinerary also mentions a Kerala visit from March 22-24, and sites include Mattancherry Palace, St Francis Church in Kochi, and again at Elephanta Caves from March 28-30, followed by a Gujarat excursion again from March 30-April 1, they said.ALSO READ | Climate to be ‘big focus’ as India assumes G20 presidency
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100 years after being smuggled out, Goddess Annapurna idol to reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: An ancient idol of Goddess Annapurna, which was smuggled out of the country around 100 years ago, has been brought back and it will be installed in Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, where it was originally placed.
The statue reached Delhi on October 15.
The idol of Goddess Annapurna retrieved from Ottawa, Canada has been received by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and it will be taken to Varanasi, union culture minister G Kishan Reddy said on Tuesday.
In November last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the idol was being brought back.
It was stolen and taken out of the country around 1913 said Modi during his monthly radio programme –Mann Ki Baat.
According to the culture ministry, since 1976, 55 idols have been returned to India — nearly 75 per cent of them were retrieved during the tenure of 2014-2020.
Out of the 55 antiquities, 42 were returned after 2014 with the Annapurna Devi being the last addition to this, said the ministry.
The idol of Annapurna idol will be first taken to Aligarh on November 11 then Kannauj and reach Ayodhya on November 14. It will reach its final destination Varanasi on November 15 where it will be placed at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple after the appropriate rituals.
“The ministry of culture is working closely with the ministry of external affairs to repatriate the antiques which hold heritage value and have local importance. The faith and confidence in people from whom their ancestral heritage was taken will be reimposed,” said the ministry.
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Boost to ASI field offices in states
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: For efficient conservation and maintenance of over thousands of protected monuments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has increased the strength of its field offices in states. the allocation of additional staff was made after the revival of 41 posts and creation of 758 new posts across different cadres particularly conservation and archaeology, which was completed recently.
With the revision of the sanctioned strength, various circles (state level sub-offices) such as Chennai, Agra, Bhopal, Delhi, Dharwad and Lucknow including newly carved circles — Jabalpur, Trichy, Jhansi, Meerut, Hampi, Raiganj and Rajkot, and Hampi mini circle will be benefited the most. Some of these divisions have a couple of prominent UNESCO world heritage sites under their jurisdiction.
The new sanctioned posts under conservation and archaeology cadres for Agra circle are 43. This division comprises 266 monuments spreading in 26 districts of Western Uttar Pradesh including three world heritage structures of taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Delhi circle has also got a major share after revision of strength.
It has been given 46 archaeology and conservation posts. the ASI headquarters was sanctioned nearly 140 posts under different cadres including such as surveyor officer, drawing officer, draftsman, photographers, administrative officers, and clerks. the deputy director (administration) issued an office order earlier this month. In August 2020, the ASI created seven new circles to step up preservation of monuments after which a section of officials demanded to fill vacant posts. earlier, there were 29 circles
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Jallianwala Bagh complex restored with utmost respect: Culture Ministry
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Amid allegations the government was “glamourising” the Jallianwala Bagh complex, the Culture Ministry on Wednesday said it has been “restored” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the agency that has restored World Heritage sites in the country, to conserve it for posterity.
It also said a “poignant” soundtrack has been chosen as part of the sound and light show describing the event on the day of the massacre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated four new galleries and opened the renovated memorial virtually, a year-and-a-half after it was closed for the revamp.
The well into which the people jumped when forces led by Reginald Dyer opened fire on them has been covered with a transparent barrier. The narrow entrance has been adorned with sculptures. A daily sound and light show explaining the events has been started.
Ministry of Culture Secretary Raghvendra Singh argued the complex was in dire need of conservation. “It has been restored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which is the agency that restored World Heritage sites in the country. Instead of letting a derelict structure to fall, we have restored it to conserve it for posterity,” he told PTI, but refused to comment on the political storm brewing over the restoration.
On the criticism over the light and sound show, Singh said that the show existed but it became defunct over time. “The soundtrack is so poignant. It has been very sensitively done and is informative as well. Anyone coming to this place will leave better informed. The galleries too have been improved, technology has been improved to bring out the poignancy of the killings of innocents and how the incident influenced other bravehearts,” said Singh.
He said the work has been done with “utmost respect”.
Slamming the revamp, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said only a person who does not know the “meaning of martyrdom can inflict such an insult on the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh”. “I am the son of a martyr – I will not tolerate the insult of martyrs at any cost. We are against this indecent cruelty,” he had earlier this week.
Some historians have also criticised the work terming it an “insult towards the martyrs”. “This is corporatisation of monuments, where they end up as modern structures, losing the heritage value. Look after them without meddling with the flavours of the period these memorials represent,” tweeted historian S Irfan Habib.
Officials, however, say that these allegations are “untrue”. They said the accusation that the bullet marks have even “hidden” was false. The bullet marks have been conserved, they said. They said the earlier structure was “filthy” with defunct fountains which have now been restored, cleaned and a lily pond installed.
The entire area has been landscaped, officials said, making the place visually appealing. Officials involved in the process said the well was covered with rubbish, now it has been restored and even lit from inside.
Officials said that in terms of tourist footfall too, the restoration will bring rich dividends for the city. Near to the Golden Temple, the renovated complex is expected to draw in tourists with its moesha halls, laser show and galleries, the ministry hopes.
The Golden Temple received a footfall of around one lakh per day during the week and 1.5 lakh during weekends and special day before the coronavirus crisis forced its closure.
Over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds wounded on April 13, 1919 when British troops fired indiscriminately on an unarmed gathering of thousands who had assembled in Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab amid nationwide protests against the Rowlatt Act which had extended wartime repressive measures.
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Seek private involvement to beat fund crunch, make ASI sites international level: Parliament panel
The parliamentary committee also expressed its dismay that almost 29 per cent of the sanctioned staff strength of ASI is lying vacant.
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MP’s Satpura Tiger Reserve and Bhedaghat-Lemhetaghat find place in UNESCO’s tentative list
By PTI
BHOPAL: Two places in Madhya Pradesh – marble rock formations of Bhedaghat Lamhetaghat in Narmada valley and biodiversity-rich Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR)- have found a place in the UNESCO’s tentative list of natural world heritage sites, a minister said on Thursday.“It is a moment of pride for Madhya Pradesh,” Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said in a statement on Thursday.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had sent a proposal to UNESCO about nine places in the country, of which six, including Bhedaghat-Lemhetaghat and STR made it to the tentative list of the natural world heritage sites, he said.
State Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, “It is a thing of pride for Madhya Pradesh that not only one, but two places have figured in the UNESCO’s list.”
“Congratulations to Chief Minister and thanks to the Prime Minister and Union Culture Minister,” he told reporters here on Thursday.
The development is likely to give a boost to the tourism business at the two places, which already records a good number of footfalls.