DECLARE THE AYODHYA SITE A NATIONAL HERITAGE: PIL

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday asked a petitioner to file a representation before the Centre on her plea seeking directions to declare the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid site at Ayodhya as a national heritage.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar directed advocate Anu Mehta, the petitioner, to submit the representation before the Union ministry of culture which has to take a call within three months.

The PIL has sought a direction to the Centre to notify and acquire the disputed site and the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and declare it as the national heritage. It also sought a direction to the Centre to preserve and protect the site, take necessary action “to preserve the monuments independently”.

It further added that if there was a requirement to separate the superstructure from the original one, i.e., the entire monument at the site, the sanctity of both monuments should be maintained.

It said that the disputed site was of archaeological importance and had “ancient monuments, antique artefacts and antiques which constitute our national heritage”.

“As per the Act, duty is cast upon the state to preserve ancient monuments and sites and accordingly the said site/monument ought to be accorded place and status of national importance, acquired from private owners and preserved by the state for sake of historical and cultural preservation of the country,” the plea said.