The activists are questioning the recent Cabinet decision to demolish the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) in Hyderabad. They argue that this goes against the High Court order and the Constitution of India. They refer to a previous case where the decision to demolish another heritage building, Iram Manzil, was set aside by the court. The activists have written to the Chief Justice of the High Court, urging him to also set aside this Cabinet decision for the demolition of OGH. They believe that the government’s decision is unconstitutional, against the law, and deeply hurtful.
Noted historian William Dalrymple called this decision “barbarous philistinism” on Twitter. Former Finance Secretary, Dr Arvind Mayaram, suggested that there are ways to modernize old buildings without demolishing them. Dr Md Iqbal Jaweed, a resident of Old City and former Osmania student, expressed his disappointment with the decision. He questioned whether the resolution by TRS and AIMIM MLAs and MP truly represents the will of the people. He also reminded politicians of their previous promises to conserve the structure and construct new blocks without damaging existing structures.
Dr Jaweed argued that the views of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration before making such a decision.
