Govt move to handover forts for upkeep sparks controversy, no takers for clarifications

Mumbai: The reported move of the state governments to allot category two unprotected category forts for development of tourism potential has snowballed into a major controversy. So much so that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje joining the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led opposition in slamming the government over its move to handover category one reserved, protected forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for development of tourism and hosting wedding parties.

Former Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan slammed the governments move remarking that the government which sought votes in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is now hell bent on selling them off for tourism. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje in his reaction argued that his simple stand was that he would not tolerate any hotel coming up on any fort of Shivaji Maharaj and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to roll back the decision.

He added that the decision of the government will hurt the sentiments of all those who love and respect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Terming the forts as matter of self-pride, the BJP MP argued that instead of handing over these forts for tourism, if they are conserved then it will attract tourists and give the locals employment opportunities. He added that the Chief Minister has assured him of ordering a stay on the implementation of the governments decision.

Historian Amol Mitkari warned the government that it will have to face the dire consequences of people voting them out of power in the ensuing elections. He argued that people will not tolerate such an insult to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and accused the government of committing a unpardonable grave sin.

Former BJP MP and Congress leader Nana Patole in an acerbic remark warned that the hands of BJP-Sena government will be chopped off if it casts a evil eye on the forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. State BJP chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari in a statement clarified that there were no attempts by the government to hand over forts of historical importance for tourism. He argued that the opposition has started criticizing the government based on false information.

Earlier, in the day in a statement issued here Secretary Tourism Vinita Singhal while terming reports appearing in a section of the media as “incorrect”, clarified that there are two categories of forts in the state. The forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other forts having historical references fall under category one. These forts are declared as protected monuments whose conservation is taken up by the Central and State Goverments Archeological Survey departments. She added that under all circumstances the sanctity of these forts shall be maintained.

Singhal added that there are about 300 such forts that come under un-protected category two. The government has taken a decision to develop these historical sites for tourism. She further clarified that under no circumstances will these forts be allowed to host wedding ceremonies or parties. Minister for Tourism, Jaykumar Rawal argued that these forts are not in the protected list, that come under the Revenue department and hence do not have anyone to look after their maintenance. He argued that states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Goa all have a fort conservation policy.

However, as per the Heritage Hotels Association of India there are about 107 such hotels housed in heritage structures, out them 15 are Forts. These heritage hotels and those in forts are located in 11 state’s of the country that include – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttaranchal, Goa, Maharashtra, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu.

Amongst the prominent luxury hotels housed in heritage palaces and forts include – Fort JadhavGadh near Pune; Neemrana, Devigarh Fort, Roopangarh Fort, Fort Chanwa Jhalamand Garh Fort, Rambagh Palace, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lake Palace, Umaid Bhavan Palace all in Rajasthan; Ahilya Fort and Noor-Us-Sabha Palace in Madhya Pradesh; Karni fort near Ahmedabad, the Malabar House Fort in Cochin, Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad and Kasmanda Palace in Mussourie.