Following a strong public outcry by residents of Kapurthala over the demolition of the frontal facade of the Civil Hospital, also known as Randhir Jagatjit Hospital, the district administration has stalled further demolition work on the structure until Monday.
Aggrieved over the loss of the town’s heritage, residents have demanded that the demolition of the remaining wall of the hospital be stopped so that it can be preserved. They have further urged the administration to spare the Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital and convert it into a medical museum. The Deputy Commissioner has assured that their concerns will be considered and efforts made towards preservation. A group of 20 Kapurthala residents will also meet the Deputy Commissioner on the issue on Monday.
Meanwhile, Punjab State Convenor of INTACH, Maj Gen (retd) Balwinder Singh, also wrote to CM Bhagwant Mann and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, seeking conservation of the Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital and its reuse as a medical museum.
The Randhir Jagatjit Hospital was opened to the public in 1937 by former Maharaja of Kapurthala Jagatjit Singh. The foundation stone of the Civil Hospital was laid by Baron Irwin, then Viceroy and Governor General of India, on November 26, 1927. Locally, it was also referred to as the Irwin Jubilee Memorial Hospital, as 1927 marked the Golden Jubilee of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh’s reign. Meanwhile, the Lady Linlithgow TB Clinic was inaugurated by the Maharaja along with Viceroy Lord Linlithgow and Lady Linlithgow on November 15, 1941 and continues to stand.
A major portion of the Civil Hospital structure has already been demolished during ongoing work, with only a heritage wall featuring small jharokhas remaining. Citizens have demanded that even the remaining wall be preserved.
Former journalist and Kapurthala resident Jasmine Sadhawalia, said, “Even that one wall of the Civil Hospital and every brick in it, is precious to us. We want even that wall to stay, we will get it restored. The demolition and disrepair of Kapurthala’s historic buildings is giving us sleepless nights. A scientific approach is needed even for the construction for new structures. You can’t just go on decimating heritage structures left, right and centre. We have already requested the administration to save the Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital." Sandhawalia said a group of 20 apolitical residents today tried to meet the DC with their demands and have been assured a meeting on Monday.
Kapurthala-based advocate Manu Dev Gautam, whose ancestors served as courtiers to the Kapurthala royal family from 1850 onwards, said, “I have been practicing law in the city for the past 43 years. But the present state of disrepair and apathy is unsurpassed, heritage buildings in Kapurthala are crumbling. The hospital was once the identity of Kapurthala and the original character of the town must be preserved."
Kapurthala resident, Advocate, Amarjot Singh, an active votary for preservation of heritage structures, said, “In the past decade or so, a number of buildings in the town have gone on ventilator. The administrations are least concerned in preservation works, which are either stalled or don’t work out. The Sainik School Kapurthala’s Darbar Hall, what’s left of the Jalaukhana, Gol Kothi, Purani Kachehri (Old Courts) or the Shalimar Bagh, all are in desperate need of care. There were green and idyllic streets where we earlier held casual walks under canopies of trees, which have now turned into eyesores. If the heritage buildings of Kapurthala don’t remain, the city loses its character. It will be reduced to a drab empty shell with no beating soul."
Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala, Akash Bansal said, “The demolition of the building of the Kapurthala Civil Hospital currently remains stalled. Residents shall be meeting me on Monday regarding the issue wherein their demands and suggestions will be given a patient hearing. We are looking to seek amiable solution to the problem and the preservation of the Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital certainly remains among the key priorities."
