Question

Some argue that stolen cultural heritage has been better preserved abroad than it would have been in India. What is your view on its repatriation? Discuss in groups.

Answer 1

Some say stolen Indian art is safe in foreign museums; many feel these stolen items belong to India and should be returned. They are a part of our history, identity, and pride. Keeping them in foreign museums ignores the injustice of how they were taken. India is now capable of preserving them properly and sharing them with its people.

They should be returned to India, where they rightfully belong. If Indian art and heritage had not been looted during British rule, they could have been safely preserved in temples, mathas, and royal palaces under the protection of local rulers. They would have continued to inspire artists, scholars, and devotees. Today, these valuable objects could be displayed in Indian museums as symbols of India’s rich history and cultural identity instead of being spread across different foreign countries.