142 antiquities stolen, most still missing: MP urged to lead drive against heritage trafficking

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh represents almost one-third of all antiquities reported taken from Archaeological Survey of India(ASI)-safeguarded monoliths, and propositions are now being talked about to utilize November 14 to introduce a statewide project versus heritage trafficking.

The trigger is a record of 142 taken antiquities, the majority of them untraced, and the current prominent case: the disappearance of an almost 400-year-old, 3.5-tonne cannon from Narwar Fort in Shivpuri in July 2026, which revealed that even huge things are susceptible.Ahead of the International Day versus Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property on Saturday, specialists and authorities from throughout the nation held closed-door considerations under the style “Heritage Belongs to Humanity, Not the Black Market”.

They argued that Madhya Pradesh need to lead the action and move beyond separated healings towards methodical paperwork, avoidance and enforcement.Of about 488 antiquities reported taken from ASI-protected websites across the country in between 1961 and 2024, 142 are from Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan (91) and Uttar Pradesh (86) follow, and the 3 states together represent almost 65% of tape-recorded thefts. Many things stay missing, some for years.

Thefts in the state are focused in one belt. Guna has actually tape-recorded the most, followed by Gwalior, Morena, Shivpuri and Vidisha. Bhind, Raisen, Katni, Khandwa, Satna, Damoh and Barwani finish the list of 12 determined hotspots. Hindu and Jain idols have actually likewise been consistently taken from temples in Chhatarpur, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Katni and Rewa.No picture, no pathThe considerations recognized the absence of a thorough photographic stock as the greatest weak point.

Numerous idols and sculptures were never ever photographed or catalogued, leaving private investigators with little proof to develop their identity, area or ownership when an item vanishes.Investigative inputs suggest that antiquities are eliminated of temple walls or gotten rid of from sculpture sheds, gone through regional intermediaries and emigrated with created provenance documents. WhatsApp groups and other online networks are utilized to discover purchasers.

As soon as a things leaves the nation, tracing it includes the authorities, customizeds, museums, global firms and diplomatic channels. A legal claim is far more difficult to develop without photos, measurements and ownership records.Museums are losing things tooRecords of the state Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums reveal 8 thefts from state museums and monoliths because 2001. 7 included museums: Gujari Mahal Museum in Gwalior (3), Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum in Dhubela (2), Pichhore Museum and the State Museum in Bhopal.

The eighth was the Narwar Fort cannon. 7 of the 8 things have actually not been recuperated. The only healing was at the State Museum in Bhopal, where the suspect was captured on the facilities throughout a burglary effort in September 2024.A worldwide pathThings connected to Madhya Pradesh have actually emerged abroad. The Celestial Dancer (Devata) returned from the United States in 2024, the Bharhut Yakshi was taken in New York, and a dancing Ganesha was amongst the antiquities returned in the 2026 United States repatriation workout.

The Vagdevi idol connected with Bhojshala in Dhar stays in the British Museum.Bhopal workshop preceded the conversationsThe propositions follow a two-day workshop, “Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property of India”, kept in Bhopal on October 26 and 27 and arranged by the ASI Regional Director’s Office (Central Region) under Dr Arun Raj T, Regional Director (Central). It was inaugurated by ASI Additional Director General Dr S K Manjul and commanded by state Additional Chief Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla.

Previous CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla was amongst the unique speakers.Dr Arun Raj T likewise spoke on the origin, growth and avoidance of illegal trafficking of cultural residential or commercial property. The program dealt with numerous spaces that are now driving the propositions.On documents and innovation, Vandana Sinha of the American Institute of Indian Studies spoke on provenance, K Ramesh Kumar of the French Institute of Pondicherry on archival pictures as proof, and S Vijay Kumar of the India Pride Project on using AI for things recognition.On enforcement, officers from the CBI, DRI/Customs and the Chennai Idol Wing provided case research studies.Prof Kirit Mankodi spoke on the healing of taken items, while Dr Shivakant Bajpai, Superintending Archaeologist, Bhopal Circle, spoke on the Rukmani Deities of Kundalpur. UNESCO’s Anand Kanitkar covered worldwide structures in an online session, while other ASI speakers talked about thefts in Raipur, Jhansi and Bihar, the return of the Chamunda idol and the method operandi of the unlawful trade.The workshop ended with a panel conversation on a nationwide method and the motto “Protect our Past, Secure our Pride: Stop Cultural Theft, Worldwide!”Whether the photographic stock, cops coordination, security audits and healing systems are embraced and ended up being irreversible practices will be the genuine test. Madhya Pradesh holds a few of India’s most substantial historical treasures, however 142 antiquities have actually disappeared from its ASI-protected monoliths, and the majority of have yet to discover their method home.What has actually been proposedThe propositions centre on a project entitled “Every God Has a Home: Record, Protect, Report”, under which the Archaeology Directorate, district administrations, cops, museums, temple managements and universities would interact to make heritage security a public duty. The proposed procedures consist of:– State launch in Bhopal: Release of a photographic list of taken antiquities and an exhibit, “Stolen.

Sought. Returned.”, showcasing items that are missing out on, being traced and recuperated.– District drives: Defense drives in every district under the guidance of collectors and superintendents of authorities, with top priority provided to the 12 hotspots.

• Record Your God: Forehead and museums to photo and register their idols and antiquities, with camps describing the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.– Training: Authorities and monolith personnel to be trained to recognize antiquities, register correct FIRs, concern lookout notifications and keep track of online sales, with closer coordination amongst the authorities, ASI and the state archaeology department following any theft.– Security audits: Checks of locks, lighting, CCTV, storage and gain access to control at susceptible museums, temples and sculpture sheds.– Public involvement: School competitors around Children’s Day, a #MPGuardsItsGods media project and heritage strolls throughout World Heritage Week (November 19-25).

• Institutions: A state guiding committee under the director of archaeology, district committees headed by collectors and a devoted helpline. Long-lasting recommendations consist of a state authorities cell for idol theft and a system to report every theft without delay to the ASI and other firms.