Lok Sabha Question No. 1071 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-27
Subject: Theft of Antique Artfacts from Museums
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: UDIT RAJ, C.S. PUTTARAJU

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF CULTURE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1071**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 27** **TH** **JULY,2015**

**THEFT OF ANTIQUE ARTFACTS FROM MUSEUMS**

**1071. 	DR. UDIT RAJ:**

**SHRI C. S. PUTTA  RAJU:**

**Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:**

1. whether a number of priceless antique artfacts are kept in open air in different museums of the country;

1. if so, the details thereof ;

1. the number of cases of theft in these museums as reported during the last three years, year-wise and museum-wise;

1. whether the Government proposes to amend the guidelines to preserve/prevent these antiques from theft; and

1. if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF STATE (IC) CULTURE & TOURISM**

**AND MINISTER FOR CIVIL AVITATION**

**(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)**

1. & (b) Yes, Madam **.** Museum-wise details of artfacts kept in the open air in various museums under Ministry of Culture/ASI is at Annexure – A.

3. One case of theft was reported in respect of Indian War Memorial Museum, Red Fort (Delhi), in December, 2012.  This apart, Government of Gujarat has reported one case of theft from Museum and Picture Gallery, Vadodara in October, 2014.

1. & (e) Yes, Madam. A Committee  has been constituted under the chairmanship of Administrator, National Museum, New Delhi for reviewing the security requirements and parameters with respect to various museums under the Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India and for framing a comprehensive Security Policy for implementation in all the Museums uniformly.

**ANNEXURE-A**

**ANNEXURE REFERRED IN PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1071 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 27.7.2015 REGARDING“THEFT OF ANTIQUE ARTFACTS FROM MUSEUMS** ”

| Sl. No.   | Name of the Museum                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Details                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           | NATIONAL MUSEUM, DELHI                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | There are 120 stone objects displayed in open air in National Museum for public view.  16 stone sculptures have also been displayed in inner, open rotunda of the Museum.                                                                                             |
|           | NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART, BENGALURU                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | There are 20 sculptures  displayed in open air in the garden area for public view                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|           | ALLAHABAD MUSEUM, ALLAHABAD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 40 heavy to very heavy stone mutilated sculptures and some architectural fragments, architectural pieces of C & D category have been displayed to create a heritage atmosphere to attract visitors.                                                                   |
|           | INDIAN MUSEUM,KOLKATA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 28 stone objects have been displayed in the open air.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|           | VICTORIA MEMORIAL HALL, KOLKATA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Marble statues of Lord Curzon, Lord Cornwallis, William Hastings, R. N. Mukherjee, bronze full-size statue of Queen Victoria, King Edward VI, Angel of Victory and brass canons near two entrances are kept in the open air in the garden and building of the Museum. |
| 6.        | Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda (Bihar),  Velha (Goa) , Halebidu (Karnataka), Hampi (Karnataka), Aihole (Karnataka), Badami (Karnataka), Bijapur (Karnataka), Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), Konark (Odisha),  Chennai (Tamil nadu), Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) , Residency Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), | In these 15 museums antiquities are displayed in open air.  The artifacts, keeping in view their physical condition, material, etc. are displayed as per the concept of open air display to attract visitors.                                                         |