Mohammed Hussain mohammedhussain.reporter@gmail.com Hyderabad: The 150-year-old Errum Manzil which the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao has planned to demolish for building a new Secretariat was a symbol of multi-cultural ethos that Indian society represents. Built by Nawab Fakhrul Mulk, a leading noble of the Nizam of his time, had emerged a center of cultural activities during his life time. The Nawab used to host festivals like Holi, Diwali, Christmas and Nawroz besides the Eid to celebrate the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ethos of Hyderabad State. But regrettably, instead of restoring the character of the historic build with its beautiful Indo-European Baroque style of architecture, it will be razed to construct the government Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly and Council halls in its place. The Chief Minister, it appears is ignoring the appeals from heritage conservationists and the fifth generation of legal heirs of Fakhrul Mulk to spare the palace. They all said that instead of pulling down the building it can be reused after repairs and conservation works. The conservationists say that Fakhrul Mulk was as big a visionary as Viqarul Umra who built the Falaknuma Palace. “When Falaknuma Palace can be reused by converting into a luxurious hotel, why can’t the Errum Manzil?” a leading conservationist Lubna Sarwath asked. Shafath Ali Khan, Syed Ali Shahriyar, Shahnaz Fatima, Mohsin Ali Khan, the legal heirs of Fakhrul Mulk, told media persons on Wednesday that the Chief Minister, if so wish, can take away the Irranuma Palace in Erragadda which is spread over 70 acre and build the new Secretariat and Assembly buildings. In spite of these appeals, the Chief Minister has gone ahead and laid the foundation of the new buildings at Errum Manzil. “There was no protest at the sight and the small function went off smoothly,” a police officer said.

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