Chandigarh Administration’s Heritage Items Protection Cell on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) sought urgent intervention from Vice-President and Panjab University (PU) Chancellor C.P. Radhakrishnan to stop the proposed auction of heritage furniture items associated with Panjab University, to be held in the U.S. on August 13.

In a letter to the Vice-President, advocate Ajay Jagga, who is a member of HIPC, has asserted that heritage items belonging to Panjab University had been listed for sale by a Chicago-based auction house, which includes a set of eight dining chairs, described as student residence chairs of PU, with an estimated price of $12,000-$15,000. Besides, there’s a writing chair from PU, with an estimated price of $3,000-$4,000.

“As a premier national institution, Panjab University has a corresponding moral and institutional responsibility to safeguard its own heritage. Therefore, the Panjab University should immediately lodge a formal objection to the proposed auction scheduled for August 13, 2026 in the United States, in which two items belonging to Panjab University are proposed to be auctioned. Such timely intervention may help prevent the alienation of India’s institutional heritage and chances of bringing it back and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to preserving its cultural legacy for future generations,” he wrote in the letter.

Pointing out that it was astonishing to learn who sold Panjab University’s articles in violation of the Constitution of India, and who took them to the U.S. for sale, he said “There is an urgent need to stop this auction or at least put it on hold. Beyond doing our best to reclaim our heritage items, we also need a probe into how, why and by whom the heritage of Panjab University was sold, despite a ban by the Ministry of Home Affairs.”

Mr. Jagga said the representation has been filed in accordance with Article 51A(f) of the Constitution, which calls upon citizens to value and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage, and Article 49, which relates to protection of monuments, places and objects of national importance.

Published - August 12, 2026 04:38 am IST