Petition launched to save historic hall in Pakistan named after Northampton MP

A hall in Lahore, which was constructed in 1900, was named after Charles Bradlaugh, who was the town’s MP for 1880 to 1891.

Mr Bradlaugh, who was an MP for the Liberal party, was a leading freethinker and Republican and was known as the ‘Member for India’ as he took a special interest in the plight of the subjects of India under the rule of the British Raj.

The hall quickly became a focal point of political and cultural activity in the Punjab.

However, since the partition of India in 1947 the hall has fallen into a state of disrepair and is now unclear who is responsible for its care.

In attempt to do something to refurbish the hall, the Charles Bradlaugh Society, which was set up to commemorate the Northampton MP, has set up a petition to save it from ruin.

The petition, which will be sent to the Governor of the Punjab, Shabaz Sharif, has the support of Northampton’s two current MPs’, Michael Ellis and David Mackintosh.

The petition reads: “The Charles Bradlaugh Society are contacting you to bring your attention to concerns about the current state of repair and future plight of the Bradlaugh Hall in The Rattigan Road, Lahore.

“After many years of neglect, we understand that this important global political and cultural landmark is in a state of almost complete ruin and that urgent action is now required to save this historic building.

“In recent years we are told that many citizens of Lahore have called for the building to be protected, but so far sadly without success.

“On behalf of the citizens of Northampton we respectfully urge you to take prompt action to help save the Bradlaugh Hall from ruin before it is too late to save this historic building.

“We encourage our fellow Northamptonians and community organisations to come together and support this petition and the campaign to save the hall.”

For more information or to show support for the petition go to www.charlesbradlaughsociety.wordpress.com