Kolkata: Haidari Manzil better known as Gandhi Bhawan in Beliaghata, where Mahatma Gandhi fasted during the communal riots in 1947 might go under the hammer if a bank to which the property is mortgaged for over 50 years has its way.
The plot which includes the Gandhi Maidan and the adjoining Gandhi Bhawan was mortgaged by the then owner Samarendra Kumar Ghosh to the United Bank of India (UBI) half a century ago.
The loan remained unpaid even after his death and UBI attached the maidan, for which the loan was taken.
The bank placed newspaper advertisements last December inviting bidders for the plot.
UBI's Chief Manager (Communication) Neeraj Verma when contacted declined comment on the bank's decision.
The West Bengal Heritage Commission and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation have, however, decided to oppose the auction.
"I have written to the UBI chairman requesting him not to sell the property. Since Gandhi Bhawan is where the Father of the Nation fasted for communal harmony, we should treasure it rather than sell it off," the state heritage body's Chairman Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya said.
The plot which includes the Gandhi Maidan and the adjoining Gandhi Bhawan was mortgaged by the then owner Samarendra Kumar Ghosh to the United Bank of India (UBI) half a century ago.
The loan remained unpaid even after his death and UBI attached the maidan, for which the loan was taken.
UBI's Chief Manager (Communication) Neeraj Verma when contacted declined comment on the bank's decision.
Advertisement
"I have written to the UBI chairman requesting him not to sell the property. Since Gandhi Bhawan is where the Father of the Nation fasted for communal harmony, we should treasure it rather than sell it off," the state heritage body's Chairman Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Auction of Gandhi's memorabilia unfortunate: Azad "Jindal Group Executive Showed Porn, Groped Me On Flight": Woman To NDTV Over 300 Indian Students Return As Quota Row Sparks Violence In Bangladesh The Situation At Delhi, Mumbai Airports Day After Global IT Outage Watch: Sudha Murty Shares How She Embarked On Her Philanthropic Journey BJP Vs BJP In Bengal Over Differences In 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' Outlook Delhi Gets First Pilot Hybrid Court Room With 'Speech To Text' Facility Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.