MP calls for establishment of ‘torture museum’, says would bring brutal realities to light

Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal has called on Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to establish a ‘torture museum’ at the Red Fort. In a letter to Shekhawat, Khandelwal emphasised the importance of educating future generations about the brutal torture endured by patriots and freedom fighters from the Mughal era to the British colonial period.

Khandelwal stressed that the proposed museum would serve as a reminder to all Indians of the sacrifices made by millions in the fight for independence. “This museum is the need of the hour,” he wrote, adding that it would showcase the cruelty and human rights violations of the past while highlighting the resilience of India’s freedom fighters.

In the letter, Khandelwal wrote, “Many brutal truths and acts of oppression from history fade over time. A torture museum would bring these realities to light, allowing people to witness the terrifying aspects of history that are often overlooked.”

He also advocated for the museum’s placement at a historical site like the Red Fort, noting that it would enhance India’s cultural consciousness. He expressed confidence that the museum would become a unique attraction for both domestic and international tourists.

In a separate letter on Saturday to Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor, VK Saxena, Khandelwal requested that responsibility for Old Delhi’s development and maintenance be assigned to the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC). He pointed to the deteriorating condition of the historic area and the need for more coordinated governance.

Khandelwal highlighted Shahjahanabad, commonly known as Old Delhi, as a vital part of India’s historical and cultural heritage, home to numerous Mughal-era monuments and India’s largest commercial hub, where over 150 commodities are traded. He lamented the lack of proper development and maintenance in recent years, which he said had diminished the area’s historical grandeur.