New Delhi: The Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, could cease to be a major tourist attraction in the national capital if Prime Minister Narendra Modi heeds the demand of a Muslim leader.
Syed Waseem Rizvi, chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board, has written to the prime minister asking him to demolish the 555-year-old structure and turn it into a graveyard.
Rizvi’s suggestion apparently came as land for Muslim burial has become scarce in the National Capital Region.
The demand for land made Rizvi question the importance of the Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Nizamuddin East, near Purana Quila of Delhi.
Rizvi’s October 18 letter to the premier says the board wants the tomb removed from the list of national monuments, demolish it and declare the place as a burial ground for Muslims of entire Delhi. If this is done, Delhi Muslims would not have to search for burial places “for the next hundred years,” he says.
“There is no such Islamic barrier in demolishing Humayun’s tomb, as the sect which Humayun belonged, does not permit the construction of tomb,” Rizvi explained.
The Muslim leader claimed that the government gets no revenue from the Humayun’s tomb, but spends a lot of money for its management. “It is the public money, which should only be used in the development of India, not for the tomb of some oppressor or Lootera.”
Rizvi is often considered to be close to the government in Uttar Pradesh led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is also known for controversial actions, reports twocircles.net.
Rizvi denied he was influenced by hardcore groups. “It is just a demand, the government may choose to accept or deny it.” However, he was reluctant to answer why he took a matter pertaining to Uttar Pradesh’s body to New Delhi and the Prime Minister.