238 Artefacts Brought Back To India Since 2014, 72 In Repatriation Process: Centre

The Union government announced that 238 antiquities of Indian origin had been returned to the country since 2014, with another 72 in the process of being repatriated from various countries.

The Union government announced on Monday (May 8) that 238 antiquities of Indian origin had been returned to the country since 2014, with another 72 in the process of being repatriated from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia, according to a factsheet released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). 

Highlighting the efforts undertaken by the government of India in order to bring back Indian antiquities from all across the world, the factsheet said:  "The government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to bringing back our antiquities and artefacts from across the world".

"Over centuries, innumerable priceless artefacts, some with deep cultural and religious significance, had been stolen and smuggled abroad. The government adopted a proactive approach to ‘bringing back Indian artefacts and cultural heritage’. On numerous foreign visits, Prime Minister discussed the matter with global leaders and multilateral institutions," it added.

According to the government, as of April 24, 2023, at least 251 valuable antiquities of Indian origin had been retrieved back from various countries, 238 of which had been brought since 2014, and nearly 72 antiquities were in the process of being repatriated from various countries.

"As on April 24, 2023, 251 invaluable antiquities of Indian origin have been retrieved back from different countries, out of which 238 have been brought back since 2014. Further, nearly 72 antiquities are in the process of being repatriated from various countries," the statement said. 

Earlier in the month of April, an ancient idol of Lord Hanuman, dating to the late Chola period and stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu, was traced abroad and returned to the country, news agency PTI had reported citing a senior official.

According to the report, the Lord Hanuman sculpture was stolen from Shri Varatharaja Perumal, a Vishnu temple in the Pottaveli Vellur area of Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur district.

READ | Mig-21 Fighter Aircraft Crashes Near Hanumangarh In Rajasthan. 3 Dead, Pilot Safe