Sher Shah's tomb in line of fire

Sher Shah's tomb in line of fire
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

SASARAM (BIHAR), NOV 19: This final resting place of Mughal empire's valiant enemy Sher Shah Suri today sits on a communal powder keg with a local BJP leader threatening to perform a `Kar Sewa' to expand a temple in the premises of the former Emperor's mausoleum.

Though the Shiv temple, locally known as `Sarveshwar Mahadev', located in the South-Eastern corner of the tank at Suri's tomb came into existence way back in 1977, the issue has gathered heat with former MLA and local BJP leader Jawahir Prasad insisting on completing a marriage hall in the temple complex, whose construction has been stayed by the district administration.

"It would be better if the Rohtas District administration allows us to complete the `Vivah Mandap' for the benefit of the poor people or else we will be forced to conduct a `Kar Sewa' (voluntary labour)," he warned.

The District Magistrate Wasimuddin Ahmed Anjum has stayed the construction work and clamped prohibitory orders in the area on October 19 as a precautionary measure.

Describing the issue as "sensitive", Anjum conceded administrative laxity in preventing encroachment in and around the tomb premises.

He, however, said the administration will not brook any violation of law and has registered cases on encroachment against the BJP leader and the temple priest Doman Sadhu.

The District Magistrate said the `Kar Sewa' will not be allowed at any cost and a case has been registered against the BJP leader for threatening to conduct the same.

The octagonal mausloeum, which has the second largest dome in the country, is considered a unique architectural structure of the period. Even UNESCO is considering declaring the monument as a world heritage site.

According to Superintending Archaeologist (Patna circle) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Muhammed K K, the encroachment and construction of the temple within the protected area of the tomb "right from the beginning has come up with the connivance of the district administration."

Rebutting the charge of "connivance" against ASI officials, he said, "with the active help of police and administration, Prasad has unleashed a reign of terror in Sasaram against ASI employees. Last year, he had brutally assaulted Sravan Kumar, the Conservation Assistant, who is posted at the tomb site, his wife and three others."

The monument, he said, is protected under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and rules framed there under in 1959 and even the ASI cannot carry out any construction activity there.

Incidentally, Sasaram town has witnessed two communal riots in the past over an `akhara' in the prohibited area around the tomb.

Though no organisation including the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal have come into the picture so far, the district administration is taking no chances.

"We will not force the great Emperor to turn in his grave. We want him to rest in peace," said a police official.