Set up task force for getting back stolen relics: MPs

Noting the appropriation of the famous ‘Kohinoor’ diamond and other artefacts belonging to India by the British during the colonial period, the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has asked the government to establish a specialised ‘Heritage Recovery Task Force’ consisting of diplomats, legal experts, archaeologists and art historians to work on the repatriation of artefacts.

In its 376th report tabled in the ongoing session of Parliament, the committee said the multidisciplinary team would be dedicated exclusively to identifying, documenting and pursuing claims for stolen Indian artefacts worldwide.

The task force could develop comprehensive dossiers on priority items, including detailed provenance research, legal arguments for restitution, and cultural significance documentation to bolster India’s claims, the report stated.

The committee also urged the government to establish a ‘Heritage Repatriation Fund’ that would accept contributions from corporations, wealthy individuals and the Indian diaspora to support legal challenges, negotiate purchases, if necessary, and fund transportation and conservation of returned artefacts. This approach would expand the resources available for recovery efforts while engaging broader segments of society in the mission, the report said.

The committee headed by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said India should leverage its economic and diplomatic influence to negotiate cultural property agreements with more countries, similar to the recent pact with the United States. These agreements should establish clear mechanisms for identifying looted artefacts, resolving disputes and facilitating returns.

“Special attention should be paid to former colonial powers like the United Kingdom, where many significant Indian treasures remain,” said the report, adding that the agreements could be tied to broader diplomatic and trade relationships, creating incentives for cooperation on repatriation issues.

The report further said India should invest in cutting-edge technological tools for provenance research and authentication to strengthen legal arguments for repatriation. Advanced imaging techniques, DNA analysis of organic materials and AI-powered databases could help establish the Indian origin of disputed artefacts and track the chain of ownership, the report noted.

It added that scientific evidence could prove invaluable in making compelling cases for return, particularly for items with unclear provenance records.

The US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India, under the Ministry of Culture, signed a Cultural Property Agreement in July-2024.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States last year, the US side facilitated the return of 297 antiquities that had been stolen or trafficked from India.