New Delhi: Expressing concern over alleged replacement of artistic stones by plain stones at Konark Sun Temple, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab Friday urged the Centre to take steps to protect the heritage site.
Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Cuttack MP said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is not taking proper care for the restoration of the temple.
“The Konark Temple is under the ASI for the last so many years. But what has happened is that every day the sand particles from the sand stones are dropping. They are being replaced not by artistic stones but by plain stones by the ASI, which is not taking proper care for restoration of the temple,” Mahtab said.
Mahtab further said that there is a need to change the antiquity law to protect the monument.
“There are certain sites which are protected by INTACH. The Humayun’s Tomb was one such protected monument which was taken up by the Aga Khan Trust and it was restored fully. When we approached the ASI authorities and the Ministry of Culture, they said that they cannot do it. Then, let us change the law which was there prevalent since the colonial times. It is necessary to protect it. We cannot create another Konark Temple,” Mahtab added.