No national monument status for Mangarh Dham; tribal party calls it an insult, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Culture has denied National Monument status to Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan's Banswara district.
• The Ministry stated that the site "does not retain the archaeological characteristics, authenticity and integrity" required under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act, 1958) due to substantial modern development.
• Mangarh Dham is historically significant as the site of a 1913 massacre where hundreds of Bhil tribals were killed by British forces, often referred to as 'Adivasi Jallianwala'.
• The decision was announced in response to a parliamentary question by Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal.
• Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP) president Mohan Lal Roat condemned the decision, calling it an "insult to the sacrifice of 1,500 adivasis."

Detailed Insights:

• The Mangarh massacre occurred on November 17, 1913, when British and princely state forces fired upon a gathering of Bhil tribals led by social reformer Govind Guru.
• Estimates suggest over 1,500 tribals were killed during the incident, which is considered a significant event in India's freedom struggle.
• The demand for National Monument status for Mangarh Dham has been a long-standing one, aiming to officially recognize the historical significance and honor tribal heroes.
• While Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously spoken about developing Mangarh Dham and some reports indicated a declaration in 2022, the Ministry's current stance clarifies that it does not meet the specific archaeological criteria.
• The AMASR Act, 1958, primarily focuses on the preservation of ancient structures and sites based on their archaeological integrity, which the Ministry found lacking at Mangarh Dham due to modern interventions.
• Political parties, particularly those representing tribal communities like the BAP, view the denial as a disregard for tribal history and sacrifices.
• The Bhil community, one of India's largest indigenous groups, inhabits regions across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and has a history of resistance against exploitation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Mangarh Dham: A historical site in Rajasthan's Banswara district, known for the 1913 massacre of Bhil tribals by British forces.
• Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act, 1958): An Indian parliamentary act for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.
• Monument of National Importance: A site or structure declared by the central government under the AMASR Act for its historical, archaeological, or artistic significance.
• Bhil Tribals: One of the largest indigenous communities in India, primarily residing in western and central states, known for their rich cultural heritage and historical resistance.