Congress criticizes Centre for National Museum being vacated, calling it barbaric.

Congress Slams Central Government over National Museum Vacating

Summary:

• The Congress criticizes the central government for vacating Delhi’s National Museum as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.
• Congress leader Shashi Tharoor describes it as “barbarism, pure and simple.”
• Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh expresses concern about the survival of the national treasure.
• The National Museum is expected to be vacated by the end of 2023, with uncertainty regarding the fate of the building.
• Collections will be stored in the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum in the Raisina Hill complex.

Details:

The Congress party has strongly criticized the central government over the National Museum in Delhi being vacated as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. They claim that this move is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “systematic erasure campaign” and will result in the loss of another majestic structure.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed his concern, stating that the demolition of the historic building and its replacement with a government building is nothing short of “barbarism, pure and simple.” He further lamented the fact that there will be no National Museum for at least two years during the transition.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared pictures of the museum on his social media account, highlighting the architectural importance of the building and the uncertainty surrounding its survival. He emphasized that the National Museum, designed by G B Deolalikar and inaugurated in 1960, combines modern and traditional elements, making it a national treasure.

The National Museum, known for its collection of ancient artifacts, is expected to be vacated by the end of 2023. However, it remains unclear whether the over 60-year-old building will be retained or demolished after the collections are shifted. The proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum in the North and South Block of the Raisina Hill complex is said to be the storage location for the collections.

The National Museum holds over 200,000 priceless exhibits and has been an important part of India’s recent history. Its potential demolition raises concerns about the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Congress party’s criticism reflects their opposition to the central government’s redevelopment project and its impact on historical and cultural landmarks. The fate of the National Museum and its collections remains uncertain.

(With inputs from PTI)