BORI attack puts similar institutions on high alert

While the city still comes to terms with the attack on the Bhand-arkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), other research and historical institutes and even museums, are looking at long-term security measures to prevent something like this recurring. Prevention is certainly better than cure and the vandalisation of invaluable ancient artefacts is something the city cannot afford.The talk among the intelligentsia is that nothing is sacred anymore, not even Pune''s pride, the Shaniwarwada .
Sudhanva Ranade, member of the board of directors of the Raja Kelkar Museum in Pune has now hired armed guards, installed metal detectors and will have video cameras inside to keep possible hooligans at bay.
"I find it unfair to punish the source of reference when the reason for the controversy is a book written by the researcher. But in the given situation, we have to take these threats seriously," Ranade says.
"It would cost us around Rs 50 lakh for these new security provisions," he adds.
While the Bharat Itihaas Samshodhak Mandal has been immediately shut down for three days, the Gandhi National Memorial at the Aga Khan Palace, also equipped with a library and resource centre, is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Is that enough?
"The BORI attack has naturally resulted in all similar facilities going on high alert," says Shobha Supekar, assistant secretary of the Memorial. "Thankfully, we have guards and security provisions from the Central government, but we will now take utmost care to against such hooliganism," she adds.
Yashwant Lele, head of department, Jnana Prabodhini Santrika, one of the biggest resource centres for Indology, believes that security provisions are completely fruitless.
"We take pride in being open to all the people who have an urge for knowledge. Security provisions will be nothing but trouble for real researchers. Instead we need to resist organisations who preach violence and provoke youth to attack institutions," Lele feels.
Commissioner of Police, A N Roy, has assured all Pune monuments and institutions complete protection. "I am not aware of the threats from vandals, but if a request for protection is made, we will provide it," says he.
sharvari.joshi@timesgroup.com