MUMBAI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has told the Bombay High Court that the Savarkar Sadan in Shivaji Park – which was once the residence of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – is not more than 100 years old and therefore cannot be declared a centrally protected monument of national importance under Section 519 of the Ancient Monuments and Restoration Act.
Savarkar Sadan cannot be declared a centrally protected monument: ASI tells HCIn an affidavit filed on Thursday, ASI’s Superintending Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar said the Savarkar Sadan is “suitable for inclusion in the State Protected Monument or BMC Heritage List”. This will prevent destruction of the structure and ensure its preservation in future, he said.
The affidavit clarified that as per Section 2 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, an “ancient monument” means any structure, monument, interior space, cave, rock sculpture, inscription or monolith which exists for historical, archaeological or artistic interest and is not less than 0 years old. The definition includes the remains of an ancient monument and such part of the land adjacent to the site as may be necessary to fence, cover or access it for preservation and inspection.
Savarkar Sadan was built in 1938 as a two-storey bungalow, and Savarkar lived there until his death in 1966. He held meetings with several dignitaries at the building, including Subhash Chandra Bose, Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte, the affidavit said.
The second, third and fourth floors of the building were constructed in 1984 and currently comprise eight flats, it noted.
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The Swadhavanvir Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak Trust has a room on the ground floor, which serves as a mini museum, with various trophies, costumes and memorabilia associated with Savarkar. Hindutva ideologue’s daughter-in-law Sunanda Biswas Savarkar (92) also lives there, the rest of the flats are vacant, the affidavit said.
The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Abhinav Bharat Congress president Pankaj Phadnis, an “independent public policy think tank” seeking heritage status for Savarkar Sadan and protection from imminent demolition. The building must be declared a “monument of national importance” and a special compensation policy formulated for its residents, the PIL said.
The applicant feared that the structure might be demolished as some of the property owners were in talks with a builder to redevelop the property with two adjoining properties.
