Bhubaneswar: The Lok Sabha member of parliament from Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi on Monday questioned demolition of ancient mutts and other heritage structures near Lingaraj temple by the Odisha government in the name of beautification of the shrine.
Sarangi today visited the excavation sites near Lingaraj Temple on the invitation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“ASI and Sevayats informed that three ancient Mutts and many other heritage structures were demolished for beautification. Mindless! Which heritage conservationist advised the state govt? Heritage development through Heritage destruction,” Sarangi questioned the State government.
The MP said that conservation of heritage and development should go together within the prescribed norms. “Got to know that many heritage structures were lying underneath-in the prohibited zone. What a treasure! Conservation of Heritage & Development shd go together within rules,” the MP wrote on Twitter.
In another tweet, she stated that mindless development is injurious. “We all support Development. Development is good, but MINDLESS Development is injurious,” she wrote.
Earlier on February 27, the Bhubaneswar MP had termed demolition of some age-old mutts around the Puri Jagannath Temple as illegal and sought clarification from the State government.
Speaking on the sideline of a free eye treatment camp, Sarangi expressed disappointment over demolishing Emar mutt, Raghunandan Library, Uttar Parswa Mutt, Dakhin Parswa mutt and other monuments and said development of Srimandir should be done as per the NMA and ASI guidelines.
Anil Dhir, a researcher of archeological structures said that the 500 year-old Radhaballav Mutt in Puri was demolished today for beautification. He questioned that on whose permission did the authorities demolished the age-old mutts.
The State government does not have the authority to demolish these age-old mutts, he added.
