Dear Editor, One year is over since foundation walls of 700-year old historical fort and that of Chanchlo Mata temple housed inside, were washed away due to July 2020 landslides at Basohli. The matter was reported to the administration at all levels of UT immediately. Every quarter, right from DC Kathua, Div Com, Chief Secretary to LG was apprised about matter through correspondence, both through electronic and print media, but as the ill luck would have it none of the quarters ever took the cognizance of the problem linked with faith of Hindus and the heritage of Dogras. The existence of the structure is vulnerable to a slight shower of rain. The bureaucrats neither took it proper to pay a visit personally nor dispatched any team of experts to take stock of losses. Finally the matter was reported to Prime Minister, praying for managing immediate repair of the structure before it collapses completely during the coming rains. We are very thankful to Prime Minister who took the notice of the prayer and rose to the occasion by writing a letter to Chief Secretary UT to execute works on collapsing monument expeditiously. The Chief Secretary, in turn wrote to Div Com Jammu, Div Com to Director Tourism and District Development Commissioner Kathua repeating the same words of Prime Minister. Again six months on since triggering this inter-office correspondence every office is tight lipped as if taking test of patience of Dogras and that of the community, whose sentiments have been hurt due the negligence of the most important matter. It is shameful on the part of some bureaucrats who chide everybody talking about matter with remarks, ‘letter of Modi is not sufficient, ask Modi to give us grant otherwise don’t come to us again.’ It is pertinent to mention here that the Fort is so beautiful that it is considered as the icon of state tourism. It is requested before every concerned authority to shun the habit of shifting responsibility and come straight on what is expected of them. Not caring national monuments deliberately is a national crime. The coming generations will not spare them for not securing their heritage. Shiv Kumar Padha, Social Activist, Basohli.
