In Dr. Abdul Kalam’s last home in Delhi, thousands of books and documents he worked on through his life, and the Veena that he often played, have all been packed up. The house needs to be evacuated by October 31, 2015. That’s fine. But here is what is getting people’s goat: the house is reportedly being given to Modi government’s star-Hindutva campaigner, Culture minister Mahesh Sharma.
Just last month, Mahesh Sharma came under sharp criticism for stating that Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a nationalist “despite being a Muslim”.
Bhagwan Singh, a senior journalist from Tamil Nadu has filed a petition on Change.org asking Kalam’s home to be turned into a Knowledge Centre.
“Within days, there will be no trace of Dr. Kalam’s life in that house. This house is now going to be given as residence for Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma,” says Singh in the petition.
Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma had described former President Kalam in as a “great man who was a nationalist and humanist despite being a Muslim”. Later he clarified that he had only said “Kalam was a rashtrvadi Muslim”.
Sharma has been given APJ Abdul Kalam’s house at No. 10, Rajaji Marg, which is a 1,094 sqm bungalow, according to The Bangalore Mirror.
A senior CPWD official told The Bangalore Mirror, “As per our rules, a Type VIII bungalow of this size is allotted only to cabinet ministers or those holding cabinet ranks. As a minister of state and a first-time MP, he is not entitled to it.”
However, there has been no official confirmation or denial from the government on the said allotment.
“It is the biggest insult to the legacy of one of our greatest Presidents, who spent his last years inspiring the youth to contribute for the good of society. We do not have much time. On Oct 31, 2015, the house of Dr. Kalam will be vacated,” writes Singh in the petition.
The petitioner has asked that Kalam’s house be set up as ‘Dr. Abdul Kalam International Knowledge Centre' and kept open to general public, for it will serve as a universal destination for scholars, scientists and students.
You can sign the petition here.