Demolition of Buddha statue, Ashok Chakra replica triggers row

Demolition of Buddha statue, Ashok Chakra replica triggers row
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Neha Sinha
Posted: Dec 25, 2008 at 2349 hrs IST

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New Delhi FIR by DDA says structures raised illegally; residents of Siri Fort area lodge counter FIR saying it's ASI land

High drama was witnessed in the Siri Fort area on Wednesday after the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished a Buddha statue and a replica of the Ashok Chakra. While the DDA lodged an FIR alleging that the two structures had been illegally installed on a lawn between the Siri Fort Sports Complex and a museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the museum staff claimed that the land belonged to the ASI.

The structures were razed around 3 pm. In retaliation, the area residents lodged a counter FIR against the DDA. They also plan to take the matter to court.

The Children's Heritage Museum was handed over to the ASI from the DDA after extensive litigation. The area, which the DDA had developed as a club, was also found to be within 100 metres of the Centrally-protected Siri Fort Wall.

An ASI employee employed at the museum said: "The lawn belongs to the museum. The DDA appears to be attempting to claim the land in order to expand the Asiad complex."

The Asiad complex is under litigation too, with the area residents pleading that the DDA has created the commercial complex on a local district park. The plea includes that an archeologically important Bulbul ki Masjid too falls within the complex.

"We planned to install 3-D replicas of monuments and other objects of national importance on the museum lawn. The DDA's act of razing to ground a national emblem (the Ashok Chakra) is horrific. This amounts to disgrace of a national symbol," said Ajeet Cour, a Padmashri recipient who is on an Advisory Committee to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

She added: "The area in question is within 100 metres of the Siri Fort Wall and no construction can be raised there in any case."

Arpana Cour, a resident of the area, said: "Former prime minister V P Singh, along with local residents, had fought in the court for six long years to stop the DDA from running an officers' club where the museum stands now. The land was handed over to the ASI four years ago after the litigation. The Buddha statue was put up only today while the Ashok Chakra was installed three days ago. By demolishing these structures, the DDA has behaved like the land mafia. We will take the matter to court."




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