13 incidents of theft and vandalism at ASI protected monuments in past five years

Despite spending a whopping over Rs 1506 crore in past three financial years from 2021 to 2024 in maintenance and security of invaluable historical monuments, official records revealed, 13 incidents of theft and vandalism in past five years had caused irreparable damage to protected monuments pertaining to thousands of years back.

As per information provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, for the task of upkeep and security of protected monuments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had deployed 3507 multi tasking staff (MTS) who are also entrusted with watch and ward duties. An additional deployment of 2763 private security personnel was also done to ensure proper security of the monuments. Also for the security of Red Fort at Delhi and Taj Mahal, Agra a total of 592 CISF personnel had been deployed by the government.

Official data revealed, a significant Rs 1506 crore were expended on conservation, preservation and maintenance of the protected monuments and sites including expenditure incurred on security during the last three years. Records revealed, n 2021-22 a significant Rs 413.09 crore was spent for conservation, preservation and maintenance of the protected monuments and sites while Rs 508.01 crore was spent in 2022-23 and Rs 585.85 crore in 2023-24 respectively.

Government has provided facilities for public utilities such as toilet, drinking water, braille signages, pathways, ramps, wheelchairs, Wi-fi, cafeteria, benches, etc. at these protected monuments. The government agencies from time to time ensure upgrading of these facilities.

Some incident of damage/theft of protected monuments

Damage to a portion of Zafar Mahal: In December 2023, unknown vandals caused damage to a portion of Zafar Mahal, a 19th-century structure in Mehrauli. The incident involved the destruction of a jali (lattice) screen situated near the entrance to the premises. The damaged screen surrounds the ‘empty grave’ of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, who intended it for his burial before being exiled to Burma by the British.
The ASI attributed the damage to ‘anti-social elements’ and plans for the renovation of the structure were already underway.

1,200-year-old sculpture of Lord Vishnu stolen from ASI’s sculpture shed in Patna

On the intervening night of December 25-26, 2022, a 1,200-year-old sculpture of Lord Vishnu, kept in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’s sculpture shed at Datiana in Patna district was stolen by thieves. The sculpture was stolen from the shed after cutting/breaking of its gate. The sculpture is shown standing on lotus pedestal wearing a kirita-crown and flanked by two female deities/attendants along with ayudha purusha on both sides which were mutilated. The sculpture measuring 100 cm x 60 cm x 20cm is assignable to the Pala period, assesed to be 1200 years old.

Pillar pulled down of a temple with Hampi connect

A video went viral on social media in February 2019 showing three men grounding a pillar of Vishnu temple. Before grounding, peak of the pillar gets disjointed. After the grounding, the youths celebrated their act. The video also showed five other pillars grounded with peaks disjointed.
Footage of the incident surfaced within weeks after Hampi was ranked second on the New York Times list of ‘52 places to Go in 2019.”’Hampi, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986, is the only Indian destination to feature in the list.

Copper Kalasha stolen

In February 2020, a Copper Kalasha was stolen from Sadashiva Swamy Temple at Nuggehalli in Karnataka – a Centrally Protected Monument.

Incidents of theft/vandalism at ASI protected monuments in past five years