Delhi: BJP functionary wants Sheesh Mahal renamed

NEW DELHI: Objecting to Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) decision to restore Sheesh Mahal — a 17the century palace in north Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh where sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was coronated in 1658 — Delhi BJP functionary Praveen Shankar Kapoor on Thursday asked Union culture minister Prahlad Singh Patel to review the decision.
Kapoor also suggested that the garden be renamed after Havildar Abdul Hamid, who was posthumously conferred with Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, for his actions during the India-Pakistan War of 1965.
In his letter to Patel, copies of which were also sent to Union health minister Harsh Vardhan, lieutenant governor Anil Baijal and Arvind Kejriwal — who will be taking oath as chief minister for the third time on Sunday. Vardhan is the MP from Chandni Chowk, where Shalimar Bagh falls.
Kapoor claimed the “people of Delhi” had “no objection” towards revamping of park and waterbodies, but it should first be renamed. “Aurangzeb has been the most hated ruler in this country, who forced lakhs of Hindus to convert to Islam. The people of the country, irrespective of religion, disapprove of Aurangzeb’s conduct. In view of his tainted record, New Delhi Municipal Council had renamed Aurangzeb Road as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road,” Kapoor said in his letter.
“We the people of Delhi are strongly disturbed to know of this decision of the ASI to uplift a monument related to a cruel ruler Aurangzeb whose memory should not be celebrated. A small replica may be put on wall of depleted Sheesh Mahal (which should not be revamped) calling it the unfortunate site of Aurangzeb’s coronation,” he further said in the letter.
TOI on Thursday carried a detailed report on ASI’s proposal to restore the dilapidated palace and the park at a cost of Rs2-5crore.
The redevelopment work of the monument had started last on Baijal’s directions. In August 2019, a committee was formed with representatives from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, ASI, Public Works Department and police. The stakeholders were asked to finish the project by December 2020.