Emphasizing that the demolition of Osmania General Hospital (OGH) is against the High Court order and Constitution of India, heritage activists have questioned the recent Cabinet decision. They referred to a 2019 order where the decision to demolish another heritage building, Iram Manzil, was set aside. The activists wrote to the Chief Justice of the High Court urging him to set aside this Cabinet decision as well. They believe that the government’s decision to demolish notified heritage buildings is unconstitutional and goes against the law.
Noted historian William Dalrymple called this decision ‘barbarous philistinism’ on Twitter, while former Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram suggested finding ways to modernize old buildings instead of demolishing them. A resident of Old City and former Osmania student, Dr. Md Iqbal Jaweed, expressed his disappointment with the decision and questioned whether it truly represents the will of the people.
Dr. Jaweed recalled how politicians had previously promised to conserve the structure and construct new blocks without damaging existing ones. He argued that the views of all stakeholders should be considered before making such a decision.
