Archaelogical dept comes looking for destroyed 492-yr-old rock inscription

MLA stops work on Hampi resort that destroyed history

Archaelogical dept comes looking for destroyed 492-yr-old rock inscription

In the wake of the MiD Day report 'Police case after report on loss of Hampi rock' dated January 11, Anand Singh, a BJP MLA from Vijaynagar has stopped the construction of a luxury resort at the World Heritage Site in Hampi from Wednesday.

Singh was forced to abandon the work, following a survey done by the state archaeological department and a protest launched by the 'Save Hampi' campaigners.

However Sreenivas G, a physically challenged person, who had filed a police complaint and had sought information under RTI (Right to Information) from archaeology department officials following the MiD DAY report on destruction, has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike from January 20, if the authorities fail to act against the MLA.

Singh's under-construction luxury resort destroyed a rock with a 492-year-old inscription on it in Hampi

"The construction work has stopped, and Singh's men have confirmed it," said Sreenivas, general secretary of the Vijaynagar physically challenged association. I'm told that Singh decided to stop the construction, as the issue was getting public attention."

Site survey

Fighting back: Sreenivas G, a physically challenged person who filed a police complaint

Officials from the State archaeological department are restless, after the public took up the issue of the missing inscription. They surveyed the construction coming up in 'Kumbara Kunte', the place where the inscription existed, following Sreenivas's RTI application.

"The labourers working on the site are sent back," added Sreenivas. "I'm told that the MLA has decided to put a halt on work until the issue of inscription is resolved."

Hampi fest trigger?

However, those fighting for the cause term it to be the MLA's knee-jerk reaction in the wake of the upcoming Hampi festival, which celebrates 500 years of Krishnadevaraya's coronation this year from 27th to 29th January.

"He has done it because the celebrations are close," said another resident of Hampi, requesting anonymity.

The destruction of the inscription rock that was the only known evidence of Vijaynagar Empire King Krishnadevraya's son Thirumalaraya

Protests ahead

"The police and authorities haven't taken any action against the MLA.u00a0 So we have decided to start the protest if the police and the authorities fail to act against the MLA," added Sreenivas. "Many individuals and associations are volunteering and will protest until we get justice."

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