Yet again, communal politics has insidiously turned a potentially significant archaeological site into a theatre of violence and vandalism. A complacent government, oblivious to the vulnerability of historical remains in religious zones, failed to prevent it from happening. Early this month, construction of the underground metro rail network in a park in front of the Jama Masjid in Delhi revealed traces of a building and yielded artefacts datable to the Mughal period. Instead of quickly mobilising experts to scientifically evaluate the evidence, assess the archaeological potential of the area and protect the site, the authorities were irresponsibly lax. Vested groups quickly rushed in to capitalise on the situation and claimed that the unravelled structure is a part of the well known, but now lost Akbarabadi Mosque built during the rule of Shahjahan in the 17th century. This claim has to be professionally verified. Whatever be the final conclusion, there is no justification for scheming politicians and self-appointed religious leaders to forcefully occupy the site, construct a ‘mosque’ over it and prevent proper archaeological investigation. In the past, authorities have allowed religious worship in monuments such as Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur without impeding its conservation. But it is possible to do so and limited only to religious structures that are in use. Insisting on offering prayers at newly unearthed historical sites is not permissible and smacks of an agenda that has more to do with land grabbing than God worshipping.
Experiences at Ayodhya and Sidhpur ought to have taught the Indian state that constant vigil and proactive planning are needed to prevent lumpen elements from mindlessly destroying historical structures. Had the lessons been learnt, Delhi could have avoided the recent damage and conflict. As early as 2009, the Delhi Urban Arts Commission reviewing the redevelopment plan for Jama Masjid pointed out that the park in front is a potential archaeological site. It recommended that the open space be excavated before developing the area. The municipal corporation, which owns the property, failed to heed the advice. At least the Archaeological Survey of India, which is headquartered in Delhi, could have assessed the site before the metro rail construction commenced. This too did not happen. The ASI cannot hide behind the excuse that excavations would take time and hurried work would damage potential evidence. It is well aware that less invasive tools such as three-dimensional, multi-offset ground-penetrating radar imaging are available which could safely detect structures below ground without having to dig. It is still not too late. Delhi can quickly adopt Archaeological Prospection to identify its hidden heritage and prepare a comprehensive road map to protect them. As for the ruins at Subhas Park, no quarter must be given to the troublemakers who are hell-bent on destroying what could be a valuable piece of Delhi’s history.
Keywords: communal politics, Archaeological Survey of India, municipal corporation, metro rail construction, Jama Masjid, heritage sites
Development is must but not on the cost of our rich heritage.We may have
alternative route for metro.
Except The Hindu, Indian media has completely ignored the news. Unfortunately The Hindu has interpreted this news as the:Politics of heritage" & i am not able to understand what is communal about it-local muslims have jumped in to protect it & started worshipping there???.It is not communal at all.I am cent percent sure that it is a Masjid as verses from
Holy Quran are engraved on the building material.The DMRC has to find
an alternative route & ASI must be roped in to verify the fact & do
something to conserve this heritage site.
It is pathetic to sea our ASI so lax
I still can't understand, how this matter came out, the digging by DMRC are
confidential and it must remain same, to build the better future, we always need to
deal with future and present. In my option DMRC should it work without taking care,
what was there.
The authorities should make sure not to misuse the situation for vested interests. Moreover,the facts should be rooted out I quite agree with the above mentioned opinion We are to be guided by sense, not emotion
Complacency of Indian government and negligence of Archeological survey of India are the factors behind the vulnerable position of historical sites and monuments.Had proper measures been taken by ASI for the protection and maintenance of the historical sites the situation would have been different.What an irony that underground metro rail network reached the historical site before ASI.Why the government always open its eyes when the problem gets exacerbated ? why not to nip at the bud ?
It is also lugubrious on the part of those libertine groups demanding the unearthed site for offering prayers and claiming the fact that the structure is a part of the Mosque.This is not a time to express the dominion based on religious dogmas but to get unify,get the government out of slumber and make it aware of the dilapidated condition of historical sites.
the vested groups or the people who have come over now and protesting are the real Hypocrites!!
And I'm wondering on how ASI can be so negligent?!!
I disagree with the above mentioned facts. As the goverment is taking steps to redefine delhi. Rather than cribbing about something that already got buried we should feel ecstatic regarding the development taking place.
First of all this definitely does not describe the Secular India. Secondly the excavated elements can be put in display at a archeological museum where it can stand for the past glory our Bharat had; inspire the present to work for a better Bharat.
All social conflicts in India have a class angle.In the garb of religion land is clearly the main issue.Even in recent conflicts at Kokrajhar class inequities to me seems to be the heart of the mobilisation.
Media should in fact must carefully weed out organised religion from popular debate including editorial for lasting peace.That would however include universal application-for instance the overt religiosity of a particular community would have to be delimited to private spheres as also of other communities.I(and probably Indian youth) am seriously sick of religion playing such a public role.Hope I get a The Hindu which is truly and unabashedly secular,which it has not including in the debates on Kokrajhar.Spread love and humanity and that is impossible without attacking organised religions.Please do that-show the all religious,oops hatred preachers their rightful place.
In a city like Delhi, development of transport infrastructure is more
important than a religious structure which is of very less contemporary
relevance.
conservation of the heritage sites is necessary but at the same time politics and religious leader should be scrutinize, to avoid exploitation of people for filthy politics.
Even if it was verified and authenticated to be a mosque, the faithful had abandoned this structure centuries ago. The new found affinity towards the site is nothing more than land grab by the people who wants to establish a mosque there.
As you have rightly mentioned the ASI was lax and brought on needless problems.
DMRC(Delhi metro rail corporation) must take clearence from ASI for the construction. This is a question mark on the co-ordination between ASI and NDMC. In any case the history of Delhi should not demolished.
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