The royal city of Kapurthala is witnessing huge outcry over the demolition of several heritage buildings that mark the royal and colonial-era legacies of the erstwhile state of Kapurthala. The structures face demolition to make way for the upcoming medical college at Kapurthala and buildings associated with it.Royal scions, citizens, activists, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira, and members of INTACH today raised strong objections against the demolition of the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, and the imminent demolition of the Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital — both of which date back to the 1930s and 1940s and are housed on the civil hospital premises. Activists demanded that the colonial-era TB hospital be saved from demolition.Randhir Jagatjit Hospital (later known as Civil Hospital, Kapurthala) was opened to the public in 1937 by the former Maharaja of Kapurthala, Jagatjit Singh. Meanwhile, the Lady Linlithgow TB Clinic was inaugurated by the Maharaja, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow, and Lady Linlithgow on November 15, 1941.A large part of the civil hospital structure has already been razed during ongoing demolition work, with only a heritage wall with tiny jharokhas left standing. While the tuberculosis hospital still stands, citizens demanded that it be preserved as a medical legacy.An inaugural plaque reading, “Randhir Jagatjit Hospital — the Hospital Designed and Constructed by Sirdar Lekh Raj, Secretary, PWD, was opened on 28th November 1937 by the Hon’ble Colonel Sir H. Wilberforce Dell, KC, at the request of His Highness the Maharaja of Kapurthala, GCSI, GCIE, GBE,” is now part of the rubble.Residents have written to Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DC Kapurthala, and Secretary, Health, Kumar Rahul over the issue today.Tikka Shatrujit Singh, great-grandson of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, currently in Istanbul, told The Tribune, “I only got to know of the demolitions today. Kapurthala, which was once the Paris of the East, has been reduced to the Garbage Can of the East. The city’s multiple heritage structures are in shambles and others have already fallen prey to government apathy. The Kapurthala hospital was one of the first modern hospitals of the state, gifted by my great-grandfather to his subjects. The demolition of the monument is a travesty. Lady Linlithgow TB Hospital must be preserved. If the government can’t preserve them, it must hand them back to us. I’d be happy to restore it.”Kapurthala resident and heritage lover Jasmine Sandhawalia said, “Lady Linlithgow Tuberculosis Hospital was among the earliest and most significant TB hospitals of Punjab, representing the vision of public healthcare introduced during the Maharaja of Kapurthala’s era. Instead of demolishing it, it can be preserved and converted into a Medical Heritage Museum of Kapurthala, showcasing the city’s healthcare, medical history, and the humanitarian vision of the royal state.”DC Kapurthala Akash Bansal said, “Any decision can only be taken in consultation with the nodal department. We’re taking up the issue.”Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, said, “I have received some complaints regarding the demolitions today. We are trying to save the TB hospital and will look into whatever can be done about it.”