New Delhi: A memorandum of understanding may have been signed with a corporate-run non-governmental organisation whose vision document envisaged restaurants, cafes and elevators smack on top of the majestic gateways to Humayun’s Tomb but the Ministry of Culture is now rushing to clarify that it will not allow this.
The ministry’s about-turn came after a news report in The Wire last week on controversial plans put forward by the Dalmia group’s Sabhyata Foundation that had heritage experts up in arms. In a written statement, the Ministry of Culture has clarified that no restaurant or cafe will be permitted inside the tomb complex. It added that there is no sound-and-light show planned, nor will cooking be allowed onsite. If a café or special events are permitted, these will be outside the “core” area of the monument, the ministry has added.
View of the fine dining restaurant in the South Gate of Humayun’s Tomb. Source: Sabhyata Foundation ‘vision document’ for Humayun’s Tomb
As per the action plan prepared by the Sabhyata Foundation for Humayun’s Tomb and three other protected monuments in Delhi, a “fine dining restaurant” on top of the South Gate of Humayun’s Tomb and a café atop the western entry gate were planned. These would be accessed by elevators installed abutting the historical structures, Besides, sound and light shows, “Sufi nights”, qawwali shows and other such events were also planned. Apart from Humayun’s Tomb, the Sabhyata Foundation has been chosen to adopt Safdarjung’s Tomb, Purana Qila and the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. With historians and conservationists aghast at the plans which could damage the monuments, the ministry has said these have not yet been cleared by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The ministry told The Wire, “While Comprehensive Action Plans have recently been received from the Sabhyata Foundation, they are currently under examination by the ASI. It may be noted that the Sabhyata Foundation will not be permitted to create any amenities in the monuments adopted till such time the CAPs are approved by ASI.”
File still under ‘consideration’
Interestingly, the ministry says the action plan submitted by the Dalmias is still under consideration. But The Wire has copies of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the group and the Archaeological Survey of India. The MoU provides the legal basis for the scheme.
As per the Adopt a Heritage Scheme 2.0, the entity that “adopts” the monument, called a “Smarak sarathi” will submit a “comprehensive document” called the “pakka chittha” that will be “finalised after incorporating the vision of the Smarak sarathi”. “The consolidated document thus prepared shall be called the pakka chittha and form the basis for signing of MoU between Smarak Sathi and ASI for each adopted CPMS”. The Wire has copies of three of the four MoUs that have been signed based on the “vision document” submitted by the Dalmias.
Questioning the ministry, ASI officials speaking to The Wire on condition of anonymity, said, “The MoU is a legal document that provides a template for the work to be done. It is signed on the basis of a vision document submitted by the Smarak sarathi. And the vision document clearly states what all the Dalmias intend to do, not just at Humayun’s Tomb but at Safdarjung’s Tomb, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Purana Qila.”
Calling The Wire’s story “misleading with insinuations far removed from facts”, the ministry said, “The CAPs for Purana Qila and Safdarjung Tomb have been submitted by Sabhyata Foundation but the same are under examination, and not yet finalized/approved by ASI.”
The Wire has a copy of the MoUs that have been signed for Safdarjung Tomb and Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The question is on what basis were the MoUs dated March 7, 2024 signed with the Dalmias if the CAP is still under consideration. Similar fine dining restaurants, private events, qawwali performances are planned at these sites as well. Humayun’s Tomb is a memorial and home to 130 graves. The other venues too are a memorial to the dead and questions are being raised about the propriety of singing and dining at such venues.
The ministry also says that contrary to what The Wire has reported, a Sound and Light show is not even planned at Humayun’s Tomb. “As the matter of a Sound and Light show at Humayun’s tomb is not under consideration at present, the question of relocating any trees for the purpose does not arise.”
View of the proposed sound-and-light-show. Source: Sabhyata Foundation ‘vision document’ for Humayun’s Tomb.
However, page 5 of the MoU for Humayun’s Tomb clearly says a “cultural/sound and light show” will be amongst the amenities which will be ticketed. “A dedicated bank account would be opened for receipt of rent for Cafeteria, Souvenir and Publication Kiosks and revenue from Light and Sound Show and Interpretation Centre (if any)”. The Wire had reported that as per the Dalmia’s vision document, trees were to be “relocated” for better viewing of the sound and light show.
The ministry says, if in the future a sound and light show is considered for Humayun’s Tomb, “it shall be ensured that the script is historically authentic and that the location for the show do not adversely impact either the conservation of the monument or its visual integrity”.
‘Cafeteria outside, no fine dining inside’
Nevertheless, the ministry told The Wire, “It may, however, be categorically stated that no ‘fine-dining restaurant’ inside the core premises of the Humayun’s Tomb or café atop the gateway of the monument will be permitted. Even if a cafeteria is permitted by ASI, it will only be outside the core premises of Humayun’s Tomb and no cooking of food items shall be allowed. Similarly, no elevators abutting the historical structure of Humayun’s Tomb shall be permitted. Holding of special events or fine dining inside the core premises of Humayun’s Tomb shall also not be permitted by the ASI. Even if any events are permitted in future, it shall be ensured that they are conducted outside the core area and are consistent with the essential character of the monument.”
The ministry’s disavowal of the Dalmia group’s plans is bound to raise questions about its entire ‘adopt a monument’ scheme, including the manner in which corporate partners with little interest or knowledge about the preservation of ancient monuments were selected. Indeed, opposition MPs had opposed this ‘privatisation’ of India’s ancient monuments at the time.
In its story last week, The Wire had also reported on other attempts at erasing the Mughals from Delhi including shutting down the museum at Red Fort. The ministry has now said that the museum will be shifted to the barracks as originally planned once the site is upgraded. On cracks appearing in monuments due to the underground metro, the ministry admitted that Jantar Mantar has developed cracks but no scientific study has been done so far to assess the impact.
“While no specific scientific study has been carried out so far to assess the impact, if any, of the vibrations produced due to metro rail movement on monuments in Delhi located close to the metro network, no cracks have been observed in these monuments attributable to such movement. Though a few minor cracks have been noticed in the Samrat Yantra of Jantar Mantar, ASI has a well-established procedure of monitoring and repairing such cracks so that they do not pose any danger to the monument concerned.”
The ministry also said that the Qutab Minar is regularly cleaned of insect droppings. The illumination of monuments attracts insects and their droppings corrode the surface of the monument.
