SUBRAMANIAN KRISHNAN MANI
destruction of mosques in Kosovo, it is easy to understand why resentment would endure. To protect cultural property is a way to avoid one more obstacle to peace.
3. Even when cultural property losses are not linked to genocide, the issue of repatriating and restituting looted objects of cultural property remains expensive, contentious, and legally complex. For example, amongst the“ trophies of war” removed by the Soviet Union in World War II were books of important cultural value to Hungary. The books were not returned until 2006, after years of negotiation. Similarly, reconstruction of cultural heritage sites, if even possible, is a long-term process that can be extremely controversial and expensive. Afghanistan’ s Bamiyan Buddhas, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, are a case in point.’
4. In certain circumstances, the theft of cultural property can fuel further conflict. As Bogdanos writes,“ things have become even more troubling-when tracking down terrorists, we now find antiquities …” Bogdanos notes that antiquities trafficking provide a source of funding for insurgents in Iraq, and one must be concerned that this trend could continue in other conflict zones 37.
Now, let’ s talk about India. With a civilization dating back to 3200 BC and being the birth place of four major religions, namely, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, while Islam and Christianity came with empires that ruled this land for centuries, India is the site of thousands of historical monuments. All the preceding civilizations have left their historical imprint on the country, from temples to palaces and stupas to mosques. Despite such an ancient civilization, with vast reserves of monuments and architectural geniuses, the practice of heritage conversation was brought to India by the British, with the introduction of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904. In the present day context, according to the Article 51 A( f) of the Constitution of India,“ it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture”. The question, however, is:“ are we, as citizens of this country, abiding by the Constitution Duty?” Are these monuments
37 Mollick Jennifer Otterson, op. cit. 80