David Sassoon Library in danger of deterioration

The 168-year-old David Sassoon Library at Fort is in danger of deterioration owing to delay in its restoration. The leaking roof and seepage of water in the external walls could cause extensive damage to the grade-I heritage structure, members of the library warned.

Friends of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room (FDSLRR), a group formed by some of the members, alleged that the current managing committee led by vice president Kaushik Oza had been turning a blind eye on the issue by trashing fund proposals for restoration of the building.

Ralphy Jhirad, a FDSLRR convenor, said, \"The library building is in bad shape and requires urgent repairs of the leaking roof for instance. The water is also seeping from the external walls, which could result in damaging the structure.\"

Mr Jhirad added, \"Noted heritage architect, Vikas Dilawarid, had prepared a Rs 1.33 crore restoration plan that called for urgent repairs of the library building. The Kala Ghoda Association offered to fund roof repairs worth Rs 31 lakh. However, both proposals were rejected by creating pre-planned chaos.\"

FDSLRR members said that David Sassoon’s great-grandson, Lord David Cholmondeley, had offered to donate GBP 5,000 (nearly Rs 4.37 lakh to the library. For this, a certificate under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) was required to receive donations. But that proposal too was turned down by the then managing committee.

Eight of the 14 members constituting the managing committee of the library, including president Vivekanand Ajgaonkar and treasurer Arvind Sanap, have already tendered their resignations alleging “dirty politics”. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the library is scheduled for September 23. FDSLRR members Mr Jhirad and Gaurang Shah, who have moved a no-confidence motion against the current management committee, have also alleged financial misconduct.

While Mr Oza remained unavailable for comment, managing committee member Kirti Oza claimed that the allegations were baseless. “They will say anything. They have lost the power and that’s why leveling allegations. But everything will be clear in the AGM,” he said.