Return of Ancient Cultural Artifacts

Summary of Key Facts and Data on Return of Antiquities

Government Efforts to Curb Antiquities Theft

• The Government of India, under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has implemented measures to prevent the theft of antiquities.
• Regular security personnel are deployed at national monuments, sites, and museums, with additional private security and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as needed.

Legal and Enforcement Measures

• Upon receiving reports of stolen antiquities, the Assam Police files an FIR, and lookout notices are issued to law enforcement agencies to prevent the illegal export of these items.
• The process of repatriating antiquities is ongoing; whenever an antiquity is discovered abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies/missions assist in the repatriation efforts.

Judicial and Legislative Framework

• The protection of antiquities is governed by various laws and acts aimed at preserving cultural heritage and preventing illicit trade.

Statistics on Stolen and Recovered Antiquities

• Annexure I: Details of stolen antiquities over the past five years, including:

  • Andhra Pradesh: Nandi statue from Golingeshwar Temple (2021) recovered.
  • Uttarakhand: Shiva Ling from Bhairav Temple (2021) recovered.
  • Jharkhand: Two Buddha statues (2021) recovered.
  • Karnataka: Ganapati statue (2022) not recovered.
  • Bihar: Vishnu image (2022) not recovered.
  • Tamil Nadu: Vishnu statue from Parthasarathy Temple (2024) recovered.

• Annexure II: Summary of recovered antiquities from 2021 to 2026:

  • 2021: Total of 159 items recovered from the USA, UK, and Canada.
  • 2022: 30 items from Australia, 1 from the UK.
  • 2023: 115 items from the USA, 9 from the UK, 2 from Australia, and 1 from Italy.
  • 2024: 297 items recovered from the USA, 1 from Thailand.
  • 2026: 11 items from Australia, 2 from the USA.
  • Total Recovered: 615 antiquities over the specified period.

Conclusion

The Indian government continues to actively engage in the protection and repatriation of its cultural heritage, reflecting a commitment to preserving antiquities through legal, diplomatic, and enforcement measures. The statistics underline both the challenges faced in recovering stolen items and the successes achieved in recent years.