Dr Ambedkar’s belongings at risk due to incomplete museum project

Nagpur: Ahead of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14, his personal belongings preserved in a Nagpur museum face the threat of being damaged because the section of the museum supposed to house them is still incomplete. Even two years after direct orders from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the museum and monument dedicated to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Shantiwan, near Chincholi village on Kalmeshwar Road, remain incomplete.
The delay has raised serious concerns over the safety and preservation of priceless artefacts belonging to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. The museum preserves over 350 personal belongings of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar — including his writing chair, notebook, wooden cupboard, stamp, paintings, and the historic typewriter used to draft the Indian Constitution.
The project, being developed jointly by the central and state govts, also includes a Buddhist seminary, a memorial, and a meditation centre, apart from the museum. Many of these artefacts underwent chemical preservation treatment four years ago, but have since been kept in a temporary room due to the incomplete museum.
"This delay is nothing short of disrespect to the PMO's directive," said Dr Sanjay Patil, treasurer of the Indian Buddhist Council, which oversees the project. "Despite multiple representations to both the central and state govts over the last two years, there has been poor response. Without urgent action, these items of national heritage could be permanently damaged," he said.
The museum building is structurally complete, but critical interior works and proper artefact storage are pending. According to Dr Patil, a sum of Rs14 crore is needed to complete the remaining work. "We have already submitted a proposal to the govt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the project on April 14, 2023, but it was cancelled after central officials found incomplete works during their visit," Patil informed.
Union minister of social justice and senior PMO officials visited the site in 2023 ahead of the proposed inauguration and instructed that all work be completed within six months. The then Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also visited the site three times to assess the progress. Despite this, two years have passed with no significant developments.
The delay has placed invaluable artefacts at serious risk. "These are not just objects; they are living symbols of our constitutional and social history. If not preserved properly and displayed in a climate-controlled environment, we risk losing them forever," warned Dr Patil.
BOX
Belongings of Dr Ambedkar Need Attention
- Shantiwan in Chincholi is memorial site dedicated to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's legacy
- It houses rare artefacts, including typewriter used to draft Indian Constitution
- Site envisioned as Buddhist seminary, museum, and meditation centre
- Despite structural progress, museum remains incomplete due to lack of funds
- Invaluable items preserved here at risk due to prolonged neglect