Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has ordered an inquiry into a Delhi tomb being converted into a temple at Safdarjung Enclave’s Humayunpur village. He has asked the Art, Culture and Language Department secretary to submit a report.
The 15th-century tomb which existed in the village has certainly been harmed. This tomb has even got a mention in a book of historical value. How the tomb was converted into a temple is baffling.
According to the list of ancient structures under the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage’s (INTACH), the tomb belongs to the Tughlaq era. The structure had definitely been a tomb according to Maulvi Zafar Hasan’s compilation in 1929.
Hindu idols have also been placed inside the temple. The monument has also been painted white and saffron to complete its transformation.
According to the Citizen Charter of the Department of Archaeology, one “cannot paint, draw or whitewash any wall in and around the monument” and “cannot hamper or spoil the originality of the monument.” Therefore, this transformation complete violates the charter.
An Ayodhya-like situation seems to be prevailing in south Delhi. Mainstream secular culture is slowly turning communal.
How can this issue be resolved? At least the AAP leader’s attitude has shown that the issue is quite important, especially as it concerns maintaining heritage structures.