Explainer: Why sword of Damocles dangles over people living near Ther Mound site

Residents living near Sirsa’s Ther Mound, a protected monument managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are a worried lot. They fear eviction following a recent statement of the Union minister about the area of the site. It is apprehended that more land could be cleared, displacing more families. Sirsa MP Kumari Selja has strongly opposed the government’s assessment and has called for a new survey to confirm the actual size of the site and prevent unnecessary evictions.

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What is the historical significance of the mound?

Ther mound in Sirsa may hold clues to Sarishika, an ancient city on the route to Takshashila. Mentioned in the Mahabharata, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, and Buddhist texts, the 6th-5th century BC city’s existence remains unconfirmed but holds archaeological significance.

Why are residents of Ther Mound afraid of eviction?

Residents are concerned about their future following the government’s reply to a question raised by the Sirsa MP in Parliament last week. Selja sought to know if Ther in Sirsa was listed by the ASI and when was it listed. In the reply, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Ther Mound in Sirsa, Haryana, was declared a protected monument in 1932 and was managed by the ASI. Shekhawat also explained that the site covered 85.5 acres, with 713 structures already removed, and the monument is preserved.

Following Shekhawat’s statement, uncertainty has increased. In 2017, 35 acres were cleared, displacing many families. Now, if more land is to be cleared, even more people could lose their homes.

According to a survey conducted in the year 2009, there were 35 acres under the protected monument site. In a response to the High Court in 2016, the Sirsa administration stated that the size of the site was 85.5 acres. Now, the government has confirmed the same.

What is MP Selja’s opinion on the assessment of the size of the site?

Selja has questioned the accuracy of the land assessment and demanded a fresh survey. She argued that the earlier survey identified the area of the site as 35 acres. The sudden increase to 85.5 acres needs to be rechecked, she demanded. She has urged the government to take action against those responsible for giving incorrect reports, as this misinformation is causing distress among residents.

What are the concerns of local residents?

Deepak Phutela, a local resident, who is fighting in court to save the land, pointed out that the administration lacked complete information about Ther’s actual size. He recalled that in 2017, 35 acres were cleared, and many families were relocated. Now, the government plans to clear 50 more acres, which includes several municipal wards and about 5,000 houses. He insisted that officials of the ASI, the state government, and local historians should conduct a proper survey before any action is taken against area residents.

What is going on at the already cleared land?

The 35 acres that were cleared earlier saw archaeological excavations in 2019 and 2020, and officials claimed that significant findings were made. However, after the excavation, the site was abandoned. A watchman was posted for security, but due to administrative negligence, the area has now become a hotspot for drug users. Locals report that addicts openly use drugs there, and the place has become unsafe for people. Some residents also claimed that since 2017, there have been multiple suicides in the area.

The future of Sirsa’s Ther Mound remains uncertain. Residents are demanding a fair and transparent process to determine the actual boundaries of the site and prevent unnecessary displacement. Meanwhile, the abandoned land continues to deteriorate, raising further questions about its management and purpose.