Gigantic Memorials and public good

The recent announcement by Maharashtra government that it intends to build a gigantic statue of the Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj, coming on the heels of beginning of a similar project  for memorial of Sardar Patel by Gujarat government, smacks more of populism than serving public good.

The financial estimate for the proposed 182 metre tall Sardar Patel memorial is a staggering Rs. 2000 crore. Not to be left behind in the game of political one-upmanship, the government of Maharashtra has proclaimed that it will build even a bigger memorial for Shivaji. Without a doubt, this project will also cost at least as much, if not more, as the Gujarat government’s project. Even though ruling parties try to legitimize such memorials by appealing to the emotional side of people and declaring them as serving public purposes, these are actually a waste of taxpayers’ money.

A common refrain by governments is that building memorials also creates public spaces in urban areas and additional amenities like museums, auditoriums, exhibitions around the memorials. However, this argument does not stand the test of scrutiny. Public spaces such as parks, grounds and other amenities like museums, exhibitions, etc. can also be built without spending money on construction of gigantic memorials. Also, rather than build new memorials governments should use its resources to conserve neglected heritage structures. This would enable current and future generations to appreciate our rich and diverse cultural heritage and instil a sense of attachment to the country, which is important to realizing the ideal of unity in diversity.