Minister asks ASI for report on Tuesday’s Red Fort raid

Shubhadeep Choudhury

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 27

Union minister of culture and tourism Prahlad Singh Patel has asked the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for a report on the dramatic incidents that took place in the iconic Red Fort on Tuesday.

Patel also asked for registration of FIRs with the police for action against those involved in the pandemonium in the high security area of the fort where the Prime Minister unfurled the national flag during Independence Day celebrations every year.

In a tweet, Patel said, “Visited the Red Fort this morning with secretary, ministry of culture and director general of ASI. Asked for immediate submission of a report and for mandatory registration of FIRs against the miscreants.”

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Patel had on Tuesday strongly disapproved the invasion of the Red Fort by protesting farmers. “The Red Fort is a symbol of the dignity of our democracy. The protesters should have left it alone. I strongly condemn their action. It is sad and unfortunate,” he had said in a tweet.

The national capital saw unprecedented scenes on Tuesday as scores of farmers agitating against the three controversial farm laws passed to introduce reforms in the agriculture sector entered the historic fort after bursting through with their tractors barricades and roadblocks erected by police.

One group of agitators from Ghazipur reportedly refused to follow the pre-designated route of tractor rally and reached ITO, where they ran havoc. Another group from Singhu border entered Red Fort, where one of the protesters climbed a flag post and hoisted Nishan Sahib, the holy flag of the Sikhs.

Red Fort houses some of the most elegant structures built in the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan including residential quarters, court, bath and a garden. It also has a mosque built during Aurangzeb’s reign. Exhibits in the museum inside the fort include a chair used by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose besides various items associated with the Mughals. The fort was in the control of army till 2003 in which year it was handed over to ASI by the Ministry of Defence.