Racial discrimination?

Sir, - Those of us who have benefited from exchanges of information and knowledge about Indian monuments from foreign scholars and researchers, are shocked by the news that visitors to the Archaeological Survey monuments, other than Indians, are charged entrance fees which range from ten dollars upward, while Indian citizens pay five or ten rupees. This rule seems to be almost like racial discrimination and is unworthy of the traditions of our country.

Let us not forget the researches of western scholars like Cunningham and Carlyle, who toured our land in hot summers and bitter winters, to explore and identify monuments. Even in the imperial period there were pioneers who helped us to formulate the foundations of approaches still practised today. Some names come to mind: Smith, Codrington, Havell, W.G. Archer, Stella Kramrisch, Coomaraswamy, John Irwin and Robert Skelton, and many more. In recent years, Walter Spink has devoted an entire lifetime to the study of Ajanta.

During the fifty year history of MARG Publications, I, as editor, depended on many western scholars and researchers for contributions to India's foremost journal of art. And even now, under the editorship Dr. Pal, former director of the Los Angeles County Museum, the majority of contributions have come from western scholars. These people have educated the western toursts who now flock to see the very monuments for which they are being charged so heavily. Young tourists cannot afford these fees and are being turned away, sometimes rudely. When they realise that they will not be able to see the art they came to India to get more deeply aquainted with, there is a great deal of unhappiness and disappointment.

It therefore seems to me, as one scholar who has gained knowledge and appreciation of our culture from both western and eastern pioneers, that the fees imposed only on foreigners suggest invidious discrimination. I humbly suggest that the order given by the Archaeological Survey of India be withdrawn.

Mulk Raj Anand,

Mumbai

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Follower of two mahans
Next     : The unravelling of India?