Historians have vociferously opposed changes to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, which proposes to allow the construction of Centre-approved public infrastructure within a 100 metre radius of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments at a Parliamentary panel’s meeting held on Monday.
Historians Nayanjot Lahiri, Narayani Gupta and Vasant Shinde, speaking to a select committee headed by the BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, said this could open the way for denigration of ancient monuments in the name of development.
The three historians, quoting from various examples, built a case for not disturbing the present arrangement, where no construction is allowed within 100 metres of a protected structure even for infrastructure projects like metro trains.
They also complained that ASI is already not able to manage protected monuments and such laws will open the flood gates to more such issues.
The select committee has to submit the report by the Winter Session of Parliament. “This is only our third meeting. We will speak to all stakeholders, whoever our members suggest should be consulted, before finalising our report,” Chairman of Select Committee Mr. Shashrabuddhe said.