People's Democracy

RESOLUTIONS

ON THE ICHR

THE Indian History Congress is compelled to place on record its profound regret at the recent decision of the ministry of human resource development, government of India, to remove the chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research from his office, in flagrant contravention of the Rules of the ICHR. It notes that while taking this step, the government has failed to assign any reasons for it in the text of its order. Such arbitrary action cannot but be construed as an effort to convert the ICHR into a mere appendage of government and so to destroy the very raison de’tre of it as an autonomous institution, with a past record of supporting academically credible historical research. The fact that it is the third act of interference of its kind in the past few years by the government cannot but add to our concern.

ON THE RED FORT, DELHI

THE Indian History Congress is alarmed at the reports, backed by photographic evidence, of the way in which the priceless national legacy that the Red Fort, represents, has been irreparably damaged through an operation ostensibly designed to effect a large-scale restoration of the complex. While the particular matter, being before the Supreme Court, is sub-judice, this Congress cannot but urge on all concerned that careful preservation and conservation, on the basis of strictly historical principles, must have precedence over the desire to create tourist attractions; and no one should have the right to damage or alter, by negligence or design, the extant original features of monuments.

ON THE DECAYING ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE

THE Indian History Congress meeting at Mysore puts on record its deep concern on the stage of affairs of the excavated sites of Vikramshila and Bodh Gaya in Bihar. The remains of Vikramshila Mahavihara present a picture of callous neglect and unscientific preservation, while the site of Body Gaya is suffering from excessive religious interference. The terracotta panels at Vikramshila are already lost and there is a threat to the structures at the site itself. At Bodh Gaya the earlier sculptures have been replaced by the latest gaudy sculptures and the stone pavements depicting the Jataka scenes have been replaced by a new marble pavement. The Congress keeping in view the significance of the above sites as National Heritage sites appeals to the Archaeological Survey of India to take proper steps to conserve the historical value of the sites by saving them from natural decay and deliberate harm.