The protest against the demolition of the wall of Phase-3 of Rock Garden in Chandigarh continues. It is being said that it is a threat to the heritage of Rock Garden. Many people of the city are linking it to the action of the administration in 1989, when famous comedian Jaspal Bhatti and theatre artist Neelam Man Singh stopped them by forming a human chain. Now after 36 years, preparations are being made to run a big campaign against the action of the administration.
Anuj Saini, son of Padmashree Nek Chand, the creator of Rock Garden, told that in the year 1989 also, an attempt was made to demolish a part of the Rock Garden. The administration had planned to build a road till Kambwala. That road was going through the Rock Garden and for that the swing area had to be demolished. The administration had also given its approval and JCB reached inside the Rock Garden to demolish it. Some areas were demolished but a tree came in the way, for which the permission of the Engineering Department was needed to cut it. It took two days to give permission.
Nek Chand started crying when he came to know about the action
Anuj Saini told that when his father Nek Chand came to know about the demolition, he started crying and had a heart attack. Slowly people also started getting to know about the action. Jaspal Bhatti reached Rock Garden with many companions. Neelam Man Singh and many others opposed this action. When the administration officials remained adamant, they stood along the wall forming a human chain. Finally the administration had to retreat and the road work stopped. Anuj Saini told that now the Rock Garden is again in danger.
Around 5000 people gathered in the signature campaign, preparations for a big demonstration
The engineering department of the administration started the work of breaking the outer wall of Rock Garden Phase-3 with a JCB on Saturday. A large number of people reached the spot on Sunday to protest against this. Currently the work is closed. An online signature campaign has been started on Change.org on Monday. So far, about 5000 people have joined it. A WhatsApp group has also been created, in which people of the city are being added. Nek Chand’s granddaughter Priyanka is coordinating this campaign from America. A plan to plant new saplings at the places where trees have been cut is being discussed. Apart from this, preparations are also being made for a big demonstration soon.
Officials said – People are being misled, there is no danger to the Rock Garden
However, administration officials say that people are being misled. There is no danger to the Rock Garden. Only the outside wall is being shifted. This wall is not a part of the original structure of the Rock Garden. It was built to enclose the nearby forest area.
