JAMMU, Jun 10: Sainik Samaj Party (SSP) has expressed serious concern over the collapse of a boundary wall at the historic Gadhadhar Temple in the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex, alleging negligence in the execution of development works and failure on the part of the government to protect religious and cultural heritage sites in Jammu.
In a statement, Col. S.S. Pathania, Chief Convener and President of the Sainik Samaj Party, criticized what he termed the lackadaisical approach of the National Conference-led government towards the restoration, conservation and preservation of heritage structures in the Jammu region.
Pathania referred to the recent collapse of the boundary wall of the nearly 150-year-old Gadhadhar Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. He alleged that deep excavation carried out for the construction of a parking facility in the area was undertaken without adequate supervision and necessary precautions, leading to the damage.
He warned that if immediate remedial measures are not taken, the temple structure itself could face further risks. Describing Jammu as the “City of Temples,” Pathania said that such incidents have deeply hurt the sentiments of people and raised serious concerns regarding the protection of the region’s religious and cultural heritage.
The SSP leader emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, along with the Archaeological Survey of India and other concerned agencies, to ensure the proper preservation of heritage sites that reflect the region’s rich history, culture and traditions.
Pathania said that several social organizations, non-governmental organizations and members of civil society have expressed grief and anger over the incident and questioned the accountability of those involved in the execution and supervision of the project.
Demanding strict action, he urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to order a time-bound judicial inquiry into the incident. He called for a detailed investigation to ascertain the facts, identify the officials responsible and ensure appropriate punishment for any lapses found during the probe.
He further stressed that lessons must be learned from the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to safeguard Jammu’s invaluable religious and cultural heritage for future generations.