RESTITUTION AND RETURN OF CULTURAL PROPERTY TO INDIA: A MYTH OR REALITY

Abstract

India has rich cultural heritage since past. During colonial time the same was subjected to misappropriation by Colonial rulers. Many movable Cultural property is lying in Britain for decades. This paper attempts to find out the current trend in the process of restitution and Return of Cultural property to India. Whether the restitution/ return of Cultural Property is a myth or reality in Indian Context? Who will return and who will receive the property is the main question to ask. Whether national and international law are helpful to this regard. A short study is also presented based on news paper coverage, where instances of return is shown and at the same time instances where the cultural property is yet to be returned is indicated in the study. Based on that a conclusion is drawn as to where we stand today.