Question : Stolen Statue

(a) whether the Indian High Commission in London has received a report from Tamil Nadu Police that 15th century bronze statue of Tamil poet ‘Tirumankai Aalvar’ which was reportedly stolen from a temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu and was replaced with a fake one and that the stolen idol is the same one that is with Ashmolean Museum in Oxford;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the action taken by the Indian High Commission, London on this report?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Yes. High Commission of India, London has received the report about the stolen idol of Tamil poet ‘Tirumankai Aalvar’ from Tamil Nadu Police.

(c) The Indian High Commission has taken up the matter with Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

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