Kolkata, April 2, 2026

 

In a written reply to the question asked in Rajya Sabha today regarding the status of smuggling Temple artefacts and antiquities, in West Bengal by MP, Shri Samik Bhattacharya, the Union Minister for Culture & Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that, no theft of the Antiquities has been reported from the Centrally Protected Monuments of the State of West Bengal during the last five years. A total of 655 antiquities have been retrieved from the foreign countries till 2025 (Annexure-I). Government regularly takes necessary preventive measures against theft and smuggling of antiquities.

In reply to the question asked by the MP regarding the number of cases registered relating to theft, smuggling or illegal export of antiquities from that state during the last five years, along with the number of artefacts recovered and repatriated from abroad, year-wise and the measures taken to strengthen protection of heritage objects, including digitisation of antiquities, coordination with State police, Customs and international agencies such as  Interpol to prevent illicit trafficking, the Union Minister said, Government has deputed watch and wards staff, CISF and private security personals at the Monuments of National Importance and museums under ASI.  Government launched the National Mission on Antiquities and Monuments (NMMA) in 2007 for digitization of the antiquities and monuments. The NMMA has documented 17.20 Lakhs antiquities and 12.48 lakhs out of these have been uploaded on its website-https://nmma.nic.in.

Shri Shekhawat added, ASI maintains regular coordination with the Police, CBI, Customs and other enforcement agencies to stop and prevent the illicit trafficking of the antiquities.

 

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