In a concerning development, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has served a notice to the Karnataka Endowments Department, accusing it of violating the sanctity of the UNESCO-protected Virupaksha Temple in Hampi. The notice highlights a grievous act – the drilling of a nail into one of the temple’s pillars.
The incident transpired during the visit of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Virupaksha Temple on November 2. The ASI notice sternly points out the breach of regulations and the potential repercussions for such actions.
Quoting the relevant legislation, the ASI notice states, “Any person who moves any antiquity in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to One lakh rupees.” The notice further emphasizes that a person convicted of such contravention may be directed by the court to restore the antiquity to its original place.
The specific act of violation, in this case, involved drilling a nail into one of the pillars to manage the flow of devotees, with the south side designated for entry and the north side for exit during the Chief Minister’s visit.
The ASI notice expresses concern over the closure of the actual northern exit of the Virupaksha Temple Garbhagriha by barricading the steps. It alleges that the Karnataka Endowments Department did not seek permission to close the exit and also accuses them of fixing MS hollow pipes in between pillars by making holes and inserting iron pieces into the decorative pillars. This, according to the ASI, is a clear violation of Section 30 of the AMASR Act (Amendment and Validation Act) 2010.
The notice asserts that the Karnataka Endowments officials did not obtain the necessary permissions to drill a nail into the heritage site without the consent of the ASI. Under the AMASR Act, desecration of a protected monument is deemed a punishable offense, with potential imprisonment of up to 2 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
This incident underscores the importance of respecting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of historical sites like the Virupaksha Temple, emphasizing the need for stringent adherence to regulations to safeguard these invaluable treasures.
