In France, a pair of heritage office cane chairs designed by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret in Chandigarh was sold for Rs 4.99 lakh on November 4. This event has prompted action from the Heritage Protection Cell, with Ajay Jagga, a key member, taking the initiative. Jagga has addressed his concerns in a letter to the Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S Jaishankar. He highlighted the urgent need to protect India’s heritage items and noted the troubling trend of foreign auction houses selling Indian heritage items, despite a 2011 ban on their export imposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This practice goes against constitutional principles. Jagga revealed that the French authorities are willing to assist but requested that India initiate an investigation into the matter first. This underscores the seriousness of the situation. Jagga references the NITI Aayog’s recent report and Article 253 of the Constitution in his letter. This article empowers Parliament to legislate for the implementation of treaties, agreements, or conventions with other countries, even in cases where the subject falls under the State List of the Constitution of India.
This legislative authority can be used to protect India’s heritage. Jagga also calls on the central government to be well-informed about international conventions related to the preservation of cultural heritage, urging them to assertively protect India’s rich cultural legacy, ensuring it remains within the country and is safeguarded for future generations.
