`Jinnah House` in Mumbai a symbol of partition, should be demolished: BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha has called for the demolition of Jinnah House, the residence of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah in south Mumbai.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on the budgetary demands of the Public Works Department (PWD), the MLA on March 25 said, "The Jinnah residence in south Mumbai was the place from where the conspiracy of partition was hatched."

"Jinnah House is a symbol of the partition. The structure should be demolished," he said.

Jinnah House is built on 2.5 acres of land estimated to be worth about USD 400 million.

The BJP leader noted that after Parliament passed the Enemy Property Act, Jinnah House was the property of the Indian government.

"Demolishing the property is the only option," he said.

"The PWD is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the building and lakhs of rupees is spend over this," Lodha added.

The legislator said that after the passage of the Enemy Property Act, Jinnah's heirs cannot stake claim to the Jinnah house.

"The structure should be demolished and a cultural centre highlighting Maharashtra's culture and pride should be built. The cultural centre should also exhibit the glorious history of India," Lodha said.

The grand house built by Jinnah is located in Malabar Hill area in south Mumbai.

The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, which amends the Enemy Property Act, 1968, was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha on March 14, incorporating the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha earlier.

As per the Act, successors of those who migrated to Pakistan and China during partition will have no claim over the properties left behind in India.