City monuments suffer due to lack of guards
Delhi, the city known for its rich culture and heritage, has some of the oldest monuments in the country. According to a report, there are 174 protected monuments in Delhi, but surprisingly there are only 148 attendants to take care of these historical sites. Even after undergoing “beautification” and “repair work” for CWG 2010, many old monuments are back to their old dilapidated state with irrational etching, spit stains and even illegal constructions due to lack of security staff.
Boishali Sinha Massot, an artist and regular at historical sites, talks about monuments that need strict vigilance because they are being ruined by illegal constructions and negligence. She says, “Destroying the old monuments is like destroying our ancient art and heritage. I have been a frequent visitor to Lodi Garden where the tomb is brutally vandalised by anti-social elements. Even old monuments in the Hauz Khas area are neglected by the officials and there are no guards to take care of them.”
Ayushi Verma, a 25-year-old businesswoman and avid traveller, also complains about the poor state of the heritage monuments in our city. She says, “There are so many places like the Old Fort (Purana Qila), old mosques and temples scattered in the city where one can find peddlers and shady people loitering around.”
Officers of the Archeological Survey of India too admit that there is a dire need of guards and attendants for the protection of these monuments. B.R. Mani, joint director general of ASI, says, “The number of security guards posted at monuments is very less throughout the country. But it is not only the monument attendants who look after the security in Delhi as well as elsewhere. ASI has utilised the services of CISF, PAC, homeguards and private security as per the requirements and has also submitted a proposal to the Government of India for creating sufficient number of security staff.”
He adds, “For people who are caught vandalising the protected monuments there are punishment clauses given in the AMASR (Validation and Amendment) Act 2010. From time to time special lectures and workshops are organised particularly to create awareness among the younger generation to respect the cultural heritage and monuments.”
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