ASI permits cameras in all but 3 monuments

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 12

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Thursday issued orders, permitting photography within the premises of protected monuments and sites. The organisation under the Ministry of Culture said photography within the premises of all centrally protected monuments and sites, except three would be allowed.

The three monuments to remain out of bounds for photography are Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, Leh Palace with a huge treasure of paintings and the mausoleum at the Taj, Agra. Ajanta caves are a Unesco World Heritage Site. Leh Palace, overlooking the Himalayan range in Ladakh, is unique in architecture.

The orders came hours after PM Narendra Modi questioned the policy of restricting people from taking photographs.

The ASI, in its orders, said: “The decision comes in the wake of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi observing in his speech at the inaugural event of ‘Dharohar Bhawan’ in New Delhi that Space Technology in the modern era has developed to such an extent that one can photograph even minute objects from far off distances, and in this background, it is indeed ironical to restrict tourists and visitors from taking photos of their experiences at heritage monuments and sites.”

The ASI manages 3,686 monuments and heritage sites.

Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma tweeted: “Inspired by the vision of hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji & his guidance this morning while inaugurating the new HQ of ASI, It has been decided to allow photography within the premises of all centrally protected monuments except Ajanta Caves, Leh Palace and mausoleum of TajMahal (sic).” It remains to be seen how conservation experts view the ASI’s new orders.