Ahmedabad: After the incident of ‘theft’ of a replica of famous three wise monkey’s statue of Gandhiji representing the principle “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” from Sabarmati Ashram here, the management is contemplating to bring all parts of the historic premises under CCTV monitoring by installing such cameras in the heritage section of the Ashram also, Director of Sabarmati Ashram Preservation Memorial Trust and noted Gandhian Mr. Tridip Suhrud said today.

‘Though the original statue is intact at the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum in New Delhi and most of the displayed items in the Ashram are replicas yet as a precautionary measure we are contemplating to install CCTV cameras all over the Ashram including the heritage section,’ he said adding that the proposal to this effect would be sent to the trustee board for approval.

‘It would be also be ensured that the installation of CCTV cameras doesn’t damage any portion of the heritage section,’ he added.

Suhrud said that all the original items associated with Gandhiji were under strict electronic security and surveillance in the archive of the Ashram.

He said that the replica kept on a table in the Hruday Kunj, the hut where Gandhiji had spent his days during his long stay here, was found missing 10 days ago and has been replaced with another one now.

On his return from South Africa, Gandhi’s first Ashram in India was established in the Kochrab area of Ahmedabad on 25 May 1915. The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan Ashram) was home to Mohandas Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, reflecting the movement toward passive resistance launched by the Mahatma, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free.

The Ashram is going to observe its centenary this year.

DeshGujarat