Demolition of Delhi’s National Museum for Central Vista Project Sparks Outrage
Delhi’s National Museum, a historic and architecturally important building, is facing demolition as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, triggering outrage and criticism from the opposition party, Congress. Members of the party have condemned the move, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of leading a ‘systematic erasure campaign’ that will result in the destruction of yet another historic structure.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, expressed his concerns, describing the decision to vacate the National Museum as nothing short of barbarism, pure and simple. Taking to social media, Tharoor stated that a building of immense architectural significance will be demolished and replaced by a generic government structure. Moreover, he highlighted that during the construction period, which is estimated to last at least two years, there will be no National Museum accessible to the public.
Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary of Congress, shared pictures of the museum on social media and voiced doubts about the survival of this national heritage if it is relocated. He lamented the loss of a majestic structure that represents a slice of recent history, accusing the Prime Minister of spearheading a deliberate campaign to erase the nation’s historical landmarks. The National Museum contains over 200,000 priceless exhibits, and Ramesh expressed concerns about their preservation during the supposed relocation.
According to sources cited by news agency PTI, the National Museum is expected to be vacated by the end of this year as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The present building, whose foundation was laid by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, has been part of the nation’s cultural landscape since its inauguration by the then-Vice President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 1960.
It remains unclear whether the 60-year-old building will be retained or demolished once its objects and collections are relocated.
The demolition plan for the National Museum has sparked widespread controversy, with critics arguing that historical and cultural heritage must be preserved rather than erased. As the issue continues to attract attention, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by the opposition and citizens alike.
While the Central Vista redevelopment project aims to modernize and upgrade the administrative infrastructure in the heart of the capital, the potential loss of a significant cultural landmark raises questions about the balance between progress and preservation of history. The fate of the National Museum hangs in the balance, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting a resolution that respects the nation’s heritage.
