300 turn up to save ashram

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 300 people turned up in a show of support to save the 110-year-old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields today morning.
Members of Save Vivekananda Ashram Interim Task Force started gathering in front of the historical monument on Jalan Tun Sambanthan as early as 8.30am for their daily signature drive, more than an hour before the start of the event.
They were there to oppose plans for a 23-storey service apartment building at the site of the iconic building.
The signature campaign to pressure Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to stop the development project began last week and so far more than 48,000 signatures have been obtained.
The petition will be submitted to DBKL on Tuesday along with other relevant documents such as objections raised by the local community and other non-governmental organisations from within and outside Brickfields.
Some motorists passing the area honked to express support, with some even stopping to sign the petition.
The ashram's management committee had posted a banner on the ashram's facade declaring that the structure will not be demolished and the statue of Swami Vivekananda will remain.
The Board of Trustees had previously stated that only the hostel and the multipurpose hall will be affected by the development while the main building will be left untouched.
However, critics said construction works may damage the 110-year old building and cause its collapse.
The protesters also tied hundreds of light orange and yellow ribbons to the ashram's front gate and on its surrounding fences.
One protester even entered the compound by scaling the fence and hung a garland on the statue of Swami Vivekananda.
At around 11am, half of the crowd started marching along Jalan Tun Sambanthan, passing through Little India before making a U-turn to rejoin the rest at the ashram.
The majority of the group started dispersing at noon.