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Jinnah House, perhaps the best-known private address in Mumbai, has
been quietly transferred to the Indian Council of Cultural
Relations (ICCR), thus ending a controversy that began with the
partition of India.
ICCR director-general Meera Shankar signed the relevant documents
on February 4 and took over the ownership of the palatial mansion
that was built "brick by brick" under the personal supervision of
Pakistan's founder Mohammed All Jinnah. Even in Pakistan Jinnah
expressed his longing to visit his old house - a wish that remained
unfulfilled ,as he died shortly afterwards.
The impressive edifice at 2, Bhausaheb Hiray Marg (earlier Mount
Pleasant Road), had been lying vacant since 1982 as the Union
government was unable to take a decision regarding its fate after
it was vacated by the British deputy high commission here. It
remained under toe care of the Central public works department
(CPWD) ever since.
Jinnah had wanted the house to he occupied by "a small European
family or a refined Indian prince " and expected a rent of Rs 3000
per month. He made his wishes known to Bombay province governor Sri
Prakasa who had been deputed by Nehru to meet Jinnah and find out
what he wanted to be done with the house after partition.
Jinnah House, which is smack opposite the chief minister's bungalow
Varsha at Malabar Hill, has witnessed several momentous meetings,
most of them in connected with the demand for a separate Pakistan.
Historic personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose
and Pandit Nehru, to name just a few, frequently visited Jinnah,
who interestingly owed his political indoctrination to Lokmanya Bal
Gangadhar Tilak.
The decor for the mansion was personally approved and work
supervised by Jinnah, who reportedly inspected each and every
marble slab before it was used for construction. The building
occupies an area of 1,694 sq mt and the gardens surrounding it are
spread over 4358 sq mt. The house was considered huge even by
standards at that time when land in Mumbai was abundantly
available.
Custom-built by famous British architect Claude Barley, the mansion
was completed in 1936, costing a total of Rs 2 lakh. It was built
for the personal use of a public person and the lily-white
structure surrounded by dense greenery served the purpose
admirably.
The house has also witnessed many controversies, The first began in
1977.78 when the then Janata government proposed renting it out to
Pakistan for its consulate in Mumbai. There was such a public
outcry at the move that the government was forced to drop it
immediately.
Another controversy erupted in 1.988 when the CPWD's plans to
construct a highrise in the gardens of the mansion were uncovered.
The CPWD wanted to house senior personnel of the Union government
in a concrete highrise. Urban heritage activists and lovers of
Mumbai objected to the plans and the plans were shelved
unceremoniously.
It is probably this outcry that has prompted the government to hand
over Jinnah House to the ICCR who will safeguard the rich cultural
legacy of the mansion.
Confirming that Jinnah House was now in their possession regional
director Zargham Haider, said the ICCR was considering ways to
utilise the mansion. He indicated some more time would be required
to take a final decision.
It will confer with several leading personalities of the city in
various fields before taking any steps. "We will keep the dignity
of the structure in mind while making decisions," Mr Haider
reiterated.
Till then, the mansion will continue to be under the lock and key
of the ICCR and is not open for the general public.
It is learnt that one suggestion being considered is to establish a
special kind of museum or an International cultural centre and
utilise the sprawling lawns for artistic gatherings.
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