Politics over Nido’s death?

 While Arunachal boy Nido Tania’s death has sparked protests in Delhi, the two major political parties seem to be giving a political colour to the issue. While Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi joined protesters at Jantar Mantar on Monday, members of ‘Modi-fying India’, an outfit of supporters of Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi distributed placards with Nido’s photographs during Sunday’s protest.

When the students were asked about why the allusion to Modi was being made, they chose to tear away the parts of the placards mentioning the words: ‘Modi-fying India’. “We are gathered here for a very sensitive issue and we don’t want our efforts to reflect any linkage with a political outfit whatsoever”, said a DU student. In his tribute to Nido, Taba Doni, General Secretary, ASUD also urged politicians not to play politics on the issue. “I have been getting calls from student leaders as well as politicians from various political parties. Although, I appreciate everybody’s support but at the same time I request you not to politicize the issue”, said Doni while addressing the protesters on Sunday.

Death of Arunachal boy sparks protests, JCP from North-east comes to police’s rescue

After around 1000 students from the north-east jammed the gate of Lajpat Nagar police station on Saturday, it was Joint Commissioner (Training) Robin Hibu belonging to the north-east who had to come to pacify them.

The protest was launched in wake of the death of Nido Tania, a 19-year old student from Arunachal Pradesh after he was allegedly beaten up by a shopkeeper in A block of the area. Demanding formation of a special investigation team to conduct the probe, students continued their protest for nearly six hours.

 The students agreed to retreat only after they were assured of a speedy investigation by Hibu, who is also the coordinator of North-East Residents’ Cell.  “I come here not as a representative of the police but as one of you. The police have registered a case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST Atrocities Act has also been added. We are awaiting the viscera report and it will be available within a week”, said Hibu while addressing the protestors.

Shouting slogans like “Racism, down down”, the members of Arunachal Students’ Union Delhi (ASUD), North-East Students’ Union (NESU), Naga Students Union (NSU), JNU Student’ Union (JNUSU), etc were demanding that the police commissioner come out and speak to them.

 “We are being mocked at in our own country. This is not the first case of discrimination against our brothers from the north-east. It has become a part of our lives and we are here to demand an end to this step-motherly treatment”, said L Gangte, a student of B.Tech first year in Delhi University.

 A few students also threw bottles and cash notes at the police officials after they noticed a few of them sharing a laugh. The crowd grew violent and thrashed the gate shouting “Delhi Police doob maro”. It was only after one of the senior officials reprimanded his subordinates that the crowd relented.

Leaders of the student organizations also met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the evening. “One of our representative along with other student leaders met the Delhi CM and demanded his attention towards the issue. He has assured his support and promised he will take all necessary steps for the protection of our north-east brothers staying in Delhi”, said Taba Doni, General Secretary, ASUD.

The forgotten windows of Khirki

Every site worth a visit might not necessarily be popular as well. And the Khirki Masjid in Saket area of South Delhi is a perfect example of one such site. Standing in quiet amidst the narrow streets of Khirki Village, the monument built in the 14^th century presents a remarkable fusion of Islamic and Hindu architecture. But the “Masjid of Windows” constructed during the Tughlaq reign seems to be a victim of administrative neglect.

Despite being recognized as a monument of national importance, it reflects a very poor maintenance and preservation. While many places on the roof are on the verge of collapsing, a few of its domes have already collapsed. The last time conservation work was initiated was before the 2010 Commonwealth Games when the site was identified by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for restoration. A faux-pas by the ASI had then converted it into a “pink monument” unlike the lime-mortar work used in ancient times. It was only when the heritage experts of Delhi expressed concerns over the methods used by the ASI that it suspended the restoration work.

“I don’t remember about any repairs been carried out since I joined here. Not many people know about this place, so you won’t find many visitors here. The government should try to maintain this like the Qutab Minar and other monuments, otherwise this will remain neglected forever”, says Shiv Kumar, the only sweeper at the mosque.

Talking about the absence of a gate at the entrance, he further remarks with a chuckle, “Although the timing for visiting the place is 9 am to 5 pm, it hardly makes a difference. There is no gate for entry and exit and hence one can come and go as per one’s wish.” He also explains how people living in the neighbouring buildings throw garbage inside the premises of the protected monument despite this being an offence.

While the plight of the monument reflects utter negligence, the sight of the nearby Satpula is also unsatisfactory.  The premises of the ancient water harvesting dam built around the same time as the Khirki Masjid by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, are littered with garbage.

Despite the lack of attention among the authorities, the solitude and calmness that the two monuments offer, remain unmatched. The forgotten monuments of Khirki seem windows to the past: glorious and majestic. Come and relish before they are shut!