Following TOI Report, Heritage Committee Swings Into Action
Apathy towards the crumbling United Bengal Home in Dhobi ni Pol has now raised the eyebrows of the high-powered heritage conservation committee appointed by the state government. The committee headed by former municipal commissioner P K Ghosh, is responsible for implementation of heritage regulations in the walled city.
A member of the Ahmedabad heritage cell visited Dhobi ni Pol to assess the damage caused to the building. “The matter has to be investigated. If the damage is deliberate then such an act is illegal and will not be encouraged,” said P K Ghosh, chairperson of the high-powered heritage conservation committee.
Residents from Dhobi ni Pol and neighboring areas, have now planned to move court demanding protection of the building. Khadia Itihas Samiti’s secretary Ashutosh Bhatt added, “We residents will intensify the campaign to save the building and are seriously thinking to take the matter to court.”
United Bengal Home was where the signature tune of India’s freedom struggle ‘Vande Mataram’ was first sung in Gujarat in 1906 by Bengali revolutionaries. The building was also where the revolutionaries incubated the idea of ‘Swadeshi’ much before Mahatama Gandhi made Ahmedabad his home in 1915.
Harikumar Vyas, 73-yearold resident of Dhobi ni Pol says, “I was shocked to see the building reduced to debris. We strongly suspect foul play. It’s a painful sight to see. We will up the ante against the offenders.” Vyas is not the only one. About 50 families residing in the pol share his grief. “We suspect that the structure was intentionally brought down in the name of restoration for commercial purposes. This should not be allowed. We are part of the campaign against any further damage to the historic building,” claims Meera Bhatt, 60-year-old resident of the pol.
Dr Bharti Selat, ancient architecture and manuscript expert and former director of B J Institute of Learning and Research says, “Pol architecture en- sures that almost all havelis remain structurally connected. It is this concept that has led many of the 300 years old Havelis to survive to this day. One wonders as to why such serious damage could be caused to just one — ‘United Bengal House’ — while other connected havelis are safe. The matter has to be investigated by an expert.” Debashish Nayak, heritage consultant to AMC says, “The historic importance of the building has been documented. One should institute a body to investigate this matter.”
Residents of Dhobi ni Pol in Khadia are mulling legal action to stop the redevelopment
Hiten Vyas | 54, GOVT EMPLOYEE
United Bengal Home is a monumental building which must be looked after. Besides its historical value, the structure holds personal significance in my life as it is linked with a treasure of my childhood memories.
Leena Vyas | 48, HOUSEWIFE
This is one of the oldest structures of the city and has been clandestinely pulled down. This being part of our pol, we have all the right to oppose and question this affair.
Raheel Patel | HERITAGE ACTIVIST
This pulling down is unfortunate. We were fighting against it for the last two years and suddenly last month we noticed that the rear portion of this historic structure was missing.
Hariprasad Vyas | 73, RESIDENT
Witnessing this grand structure turn into rubble is shocking. Watching the pulling down of this great building was as painful as witnessing the murder of someone very dear.
