ANTIQUES AND TABLEAUX AT RED FORT WERE ALSO DAMAGED, SAYS PRAHLAD PATEL

Press Trust of India

Union culture and tourism minister Prahlad Patel on Thursday said some antiquities inside the Red Fort were missing and tableaux showcased at the Republic Day parade damaged, two days after a section of protesting farmers clashed with the police at the monument and vandalised property.

During the tractor parade of farmers on Republic Day, a group of farmers had entered the Red Fort premises and climbed the ramparts. “All the tableaux are kept in the Red Fort premises after the Republic Day celebrations. These are viewed by the public for seven to 15 days. When I went there, I saw that these have been damaged. These include the culture ministry tableau and the Ram Mandir tableau. In fact, all the tableaux have been messed with,” said Patel at a press briefing.

He further said that while an assessment of the monetary loss in the violence can be ascertained, he was more worried about the loss of antiquities which are priceless. “The antiquities are priceless. While we can access the monetary loss, how can we gauge the loss of antiquities? The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (or AMASR Act) was formulated to protect the treasures of the past. This is the major loss,” he said.

Earlier, Patel had ordered an enquiry into the matter and even sought a report from the ASI.

In the FIR — filed on Wednesday — the police have registered a case against unidentified protesters, under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (for causing damage to the monument), Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 (for vandalism), and the Arms Act 1959 (for illegal possession of arms).

The police added that the protesters also stole the antiriot gear from the police.

NEW DELHI:

HUNDREDS OF FARMERS CLIMBED THE RAMPARTS OF RED FORT AFTER STORMING IT, HOISTED RELIGIOUS FLAGS, RESORTED TO VANDALISM