Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, November 23

The existing memorials in this border town are in a sorry state even though Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is granting handsome grants to build new memorials.
Last week, the CM announced Rs 76 crore for Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur in Jalandhar, War Memorial and Bhagwan Balmiki Memorial in Amritsar. Two days ago, the CM announced another Rs 25 crores for the construction of three memorials in Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Kartarpur.
The move has not gone down well with the Congress party that alleges that the SAD is spending tax payers’ money to woo voters for the upcoming Assembly elections.
“Instead of focusing on the upkeep of the existing memorials, the government is planning to set up many more similar structures,” said Parminder Singh, Congress MLA.
Local residents alleged the government had also failed to develop various historical sites, including the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussaniwala, Anglo Sikh War Memorial, the secret hideout of Bhagat Singh, in the town.
A few months ago, the Chief Minister announced to release Rs 13.5 crore for the development of the Hussainiwala Memorial, but the project is stuck in red tape. Under the plan, the government was to build an auditorium and install a light and sound system.
Residents allege instead of allocating these funds, another museum had been announced in the memory of Bhai Mardana. Nearly 0.72 acres of prime commercial land had been allocated for the project.
Even the historic Anglo-Sikh War Museum constructed in memory of valiant Sikh soldiers, who died during the Anglo-Sikh Wars of 1845-46 continues to remain neglected in the absence of adequate manpower and resources. This memorial is located on the banks of twin canals on NH-95, where the two Anglo-Sikh wars were fought in nearby villages of Sabraon, Mudki and Ferozeshah.
During her visit a few months ago, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had also complained about the poor upkeep of this memorial which was dedicated to the nation by her late husband Sanjay Gandhi in 1976. The other Anglo-Sikh War memorials in Mudki, Ferozshah, Mishriwala and Sabraon are also dilapidated.
Moreover, the secret hideout of Shahid Bhagat Singh and his comrades in the city has not been granted heritage status so far. Residents demand that the structure be converted into a memorial.