The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed the Bombay High Court that ‘Savarkar Sadan’—the former residence of Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar—cannot be declared a centrally protected monument as it does not meet the minimum age threshold of 100 years required under the relevant central legislation.
The submission was made in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a direction that the building, located in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park area, be designated a “monument of national importance.”
According to the ASI, the structure, built in 1938, falls short of the century mark stipulated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. “Only those monuments which are more than 100 years old and have been declared protected under the Act by the Central Government are preserved by ASI,” the affidavit said.
The agency, however, noted that the building is of “significant importance” and suggested alternative pathways for preservation. It stated that ‘Savarkar Sadan’ could be granted protection if it is included in the heritage list maintained by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or declared a state-protected monument by the Maharashtra government.
Historical records cited in the proceedings highlight the building’s role in the freedom movement. Besides housing Savarkar until his death in 1966, the premises were the site of several notable meetings, including one with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1940 and another with Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte in 1948.
As per the ASI affidavit, the original structure was a ground-plus-one bungalow comprising three flats on the ground floor and two on the upper level.
The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing next week before a bench headed by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar.
