A picture of Mujahid Manzil, a hub of political activities in Kashmir in the yesteryears, has triggered a debate on the Facebook with Kashmiri netizens seeking restoration of the gutted building on heritage lines.
 The wall post debate popped some days back when prominent columnist Zahid Ghulam Muhammad aka ZGM tagged his comment to the Mujahid Manzil picture.
 “How callous are we to heritage of our political struggle- Mujahid Manzil epitome of our renaissance is in shambles- it belongs to people of Jammu and Kashmir they should rebuild it to its pristine past. My head drowned in shame, when I clicked this picture the other day,” ZGM wrote on his wall triggering a fission reaction, still on.
 “It has been cradle of our political leadership including Syed Ali Geelani and Qari Saif-u-Din, -- it was here when songs of freedom were sung in unison by Sheikh Abdullah, Chowdary Abbass and Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah,” he added.
 After a few comments, Syed Raza Shah Madni Zahid, a former Chief Engineer suggested that Muhamad Saleem Beg who head the state chapter of INTACH, an organization into heritage conservation, could do the needful.
 “Saleem Beg can have it done through INTACI,” Madni wrote.
 In between a netizen Sajad Hussain Naqueeb had a satirical remark: “We have not spared Dal lake, Anchar is in Coma, Manasbal on antibiotics, Wular lake on oxygen, & Baba Demb waiting for last rites.” Some netizens accused a particular political family of being callous towards the people of Kashmir and even the history.
 Retired bureaucrat and prominent expert on heritage Muhammad Saleem Beg said: “Mujahid Manzil lives in our historic narrative in what ever form it survives. However some landmarks of the freedom struggle need urgent attention.”
 To a remark he reacted saying:  “Yes it (Mujahid Manzil) can be restored but then the present owners have to agree to restoration. Since 1989 hardly any politician of some standing, much less a Minister has visited the premises. MM is a abandoned building and has suffered due to neglect and vandalism. Dekho Muje Jo Deeda-e-Ebrat Nigah Ho.”
 In the recent comments, the netizen said media and official machinery could play a role. “Dr Asgar Samoon our young Div Com and FB family member must have seen our posts. He can intervene,” said a netizen.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST