Hundreds of eminent social activists, writers, filmmakers, defence veterans, retired civil servants, journalists, lawyers, and concerned citizens are raising their voices together against the government’s Rs 1,200 crore proposal to alter the Sabarmati Ashram, one of the most enduring examples of Gandhi’s legacy. According to an Indian Express news report, Gujarat’s authorities have already begun the process of clearing residential properties within Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Ashram premises. This is being done to begin the Project Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development, which according to the report will “develop a world class memorial as part of a project planned under.” The government reportedly wants to make it a “world-class” tourist destination and has earmarked Rs 1,200 crore for the project.

Sabarmati Ashram, is well known the world over as the place where Mahatma Gandhi lived from 1917 to 1930. Gandhi led the Dandi March from the Ashram and pledged not to return until India gained Independence. He disbanded the Ashram in 1933, and after Independence Gandhi’s associates and followers formed Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust to protect the buildings and archival possessions of the Ashram for posterity. The signatories to the letter opposing the ‘redevelopment’ recalled that “there were five more trusts under the Ashram. They conduct their activities independently. Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust looks after the buildings including Hriday Kunj—the residence of Gandhi and Kasturba.”

They highlighted the “simplicity and sanctity” of Hriday Kunj that “greets thousands of visitors coming from all parts of the world daily in truly Gandhian fashion, without frisking or security check or sight of armed persons. The visitors also feel touched and inspired by the aesthetics, openness, and sanctity of the place. The museum building designed in the early 1960s by Charles Correa reflects all the above-mentioned values and comes across as an integral part of the premises. Anyone passing by the adjoining road can drop in for a brief visit to Hriday Kunj or can have a glimpse of the museum as per convenience and available time.”

According to the concerned citizens and activists, the government’s proposed project that wants to make the ashram “a ‘world-class’ tourist destination spread over 54 acres” has planned for new museums, an amphitheater, VIP lounge, shops, food court among other things. This they say “is in keeping with the present government’s strategy to appropriate and commercialize all Gandhian institutions in the country” adding that the “worst example of this can be seen in Sevagram.” They state that even more “frightening” is the government move to “control” all Gandhian archives. “As Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by elements whose ideology still inspires some of those in power in India, this danger cannot be overlooked,” they write in the public statement jointly signed to oppose any such ‘redevelopment’ plans.

The proposed plan “severely compromises and trivializes the sanctity and importance of the present-day Ashram, mainly Hriday Kunj, surrounding buildings, and the museum,” they state. There will also be other problems as “access to Hriday Kunj and the present Museum will be blocked as the road passing by it will be closed. The new entrance will have at least a VIP lounge and a new museum before Hriday Kunj and the current museum.”  

The Sabarmati Ashram has lakhs of visitors each year and “has never needed a ‘world-class’ makeover to attract tourists” as the Gandhian “authenticity and simplicity of the place has been enough.” The concerted citizens minced no words and stated that “the proposed plan at best envisions a ‘Gandhi theme park’ and at worst ‘a second assassination’” as “the most authentic monument of Gandhi and our freedom struggle will be lost forever to vanity and commercialization.” They write that public money must continue to be used for “the proper maintenance and upkeep of such institutions, in consultation with eminent Gandhians, historians and archivists from India and around the world”.

The statement may be read here: 

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Gandhians, last week, were stunned to learn that the Government was planning to take over the Sabarmati Ashram. Painstakingly built over the last 70 years, the plan is to take over it with our without government grants. Sabarmati Ashram, known as Gandhi Ashram as well as Harijan Ashram, was set up in 1917 on a barren land between a jail and a crematorium.

Alleging that the Government is eying what is now prime property, Gandhians point out that the ashram was set up on barren land and was home to Gandhi between 1917 and 1930. Not all Gandhian institutions have been receiving grants from the Government either.

The Sabarmati Ashram was served a notice informing the trustees and the 200 and odd inmates that the Government was preparing to give them ‘handsome compensation’ and apartments for ceding control of the institutions and the land. The Central Government has decided to move the families to an apartment building on the periphery of the campus. The Government, the notice assured, planned to transform the Ashram into a fitting ‘world class’ memorial to the Mahatma.

On Sunday, the residents of the Sabarmati Ashram or ‘Harijan Ashram’ passed a resolution stating that they would resist any move by the trust or the State Government to shift them. Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of the Mahatma tweeted “Stop the devious attempt by the government to take over Sabarmati Ashram”.

Since September 19, a few trusts running on the premises of the Ashram have received notices saying that a high-powered committee of the Central Government requires the trusts to hand over all the land and properties to the civic body or the Gujarat government.

Why the Outrage

NarendraModi, as chief minister of Gujarat, had got a convention centre named after the Mahatma built at a cost of ₹200 Crore. The glitzy ‘Mahatma Mandir’, as the art and convention centre is known, has now been handed over to a hospitality group, which runs a chain of luxury hotels, to operate.

Now the same government, which failed to run the art-cum-convention centre, is planning to take over Gandhian Trusts and land to have another shot at a ‘world class’ centre. Media reports suggest that Gujarat Government signed a 20-year contract with the hospitality major, Leela Group, and handed over the prime property opposite the secretariat.

It is hardly a coincidence that the Leela Group is also constructing a 300-room luxury hotel which would tower over the redeveloped Gandhinagar Railway Station next to Mahatma Mandir.

A petition to stop the government from invading Gandhi Ashram’s houses of historic value and to preserve the autonomy of the trust over the Government.

The petition rues that the trustees who are supposed to preserve the values and physical structures of the Ashram are not practicing the same when it comes to preserving the autonomy of the Ashram and preserving its heritage value.

A senior ashram resident, who did not wish to be identified, said, “No trustee of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, Harijan Ashram Trust, Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Trust, or KhadiGramodhyogPrayogSamiti had informed us of such a takeover bid.”

The attempt of the Government to commercialize such a heritage moment is a move contradictory to his ideals of simplicity and austerity. Wonder what the Mahatma would have to say about this!

Sign the petition here.
 

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