18 hrs ago
Centre's Reminder Prompts Chandigarh Action Over Auctioned Heritage Items
Some valuable objects connected to Chandigarh were being offered for sale in Paris.
The Ministry of Culture reminded Chandigarh officials that they were responsible for protecting the city’s heritage.
It said this was one reason the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee had been created in 2011.
The ministry asked Chandigarh to work with Indian diplomats and other authorities to stop the sale.
The Archaeological Survey of India said a specific antiquities law did not cover these objects.
Chandigarh then began taking action and registered a police complaint.
Ajay Jagga said the city’s heritage protection groups should start working regularly again.
He also asked officials to find ways to bring the objects back and prevent similar sales.
The Ministry of Culture urged Chandigarh to stop a Paris auction of the city’s heritage articles.
The ministry cited 2011 directions that led to the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee’s formation.
The Archaeological Survey of India said it could not act under the 1972 antiquities law.
Chandigarh initiated action on June 25 and registered a first information report.
Heritage activist Ajay Jagga called for reviving protection bodies and creating a stronger recovery mechanism.
- Who
- The Chandigarh Administration, India’s Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and heritage protection advocate Ajay Jagga.
- What
- Action was initiated to stop the auction in Paris of Chandigarh heritage articles and a first information report was registered.
- Where
- The articles were being auctioned in Paris, France, while the administrative response concerned Chandigarh.
- When
- The Ministry of Culture wrote on June 23; Chandigarh initiated action on June 25; a copy of the communication was received by Ajay Jagga on September 3.
- Why
- The Centre said Chandigarh had a responsibility to protect its movable heritage under the framework connected to the 2011 Ministry of Home Affairs directions.
Key facts
- Auction location
- Paris, France
- Auctioneer
- Francois Epin Auction
- Ministry communication
- Sent by Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, to UT Adviser Rajesh Prasad
- Relevant directions
- A February 22, 2011 Ministry of Home Affairs order directed Chandigarh to prevent valuable heritage items from being auctioned internationally.
- Administrative action
- Chandigarh initiated action on June 25 and registered a first information report.
- Legal limitation
- The Archaeological Survey of India said the objects did not qualify as “Antiquity” or “Art Treasure” under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
- Requested measures
- Ajay Jagga sought revival of the Heritage Item Protection Cell, regular committee meetings, and a system to identify, document, monitor, protect, and recover movable heritage.
Quotes
Vivek Aggarwal
Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Culture
“The matter now requires immediate intervention at the level of the Administrator, Chandigarh, with a review of the status and functioning of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee constituted pursuant to the Ministry of Home Affairs directions of 2011, including examining why it has not taken up the issue of Chandigarh’s movable heritage, including the stolen heritage articles.”
indianexpress.com
“This concern led to the formation of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) to manage and preserve these items and also the City’s overall heritage.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Advocate seeks probe into auction of Panjab University heritage furniture
Centre Delists 18 Monuments From Protected Sites Since 2021
National Gandhi Museum Seeks Preservation After Record Manuscript Auction
Delhi Master Plan Calls for Stronger Heritage Conservation
Supreme Court Rebukes MCD, ASI Over Delhi Heritage Neglect
Jaipur's Walled City heritage faces development challenge in court
Bomb Threats Evacuate Schools, Secretariat
Punjab and Haryana HC expedites consultant hiring for court redevelopment
