Gandhi Smriti at Tees January Marg was shut for the public on Martyrs’ Day till 5.30 p.m. for “security reasons”.
A “general notice” at the gate reads: “Due to security reasons, Gandhi Smriti, 5, Tees January Marg, New Delhi 110001 will remain closed from January 29, 12 noon to January 30, 2020 5.30 p.m.”
It adds that the Museum will be open to the general public from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. on January 30.
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Several visitors to the museum were asked to leave.
Octogenarian Satya Pal said he came to Gandhi Smriti every year on Martyr’s Day and this time he was disappointed as he was not allowed to enter it. “They are preparing for some government programme where you can enter only with a pass. They should not close it for the public. I come every year, this has not happened ever.”
Tourist buses, some full of foreign visitors, were also asked to leave and come back at 5.30 p.m.
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Gandhi Smriti, formerly called Birla House, is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It is where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 and the location where he spent the last few days of his life.
Sources in the Ministry of Culture said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to attend a programme at the venue. Delhi Police personnel, para-military personnel as well as other security agencies were seen making arrangements at the venue.
However, there has been no official communication about any scheduled event.