Prominent historian and heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande and former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes have launched a scathing attack on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), accusing it of gross negligence and failure to uphold its legal mandate in protecting Goa’s archaeological heritage.
Their criticism centres around the recent unearthing of cannonballs during excavation work. Gomes, citing official documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, alleged that both the ASI and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) failed to act as mandated by law. “The law clearly mandates that archaeological finds must be reported immediately. But when cannonballs surfaced on March 22, I flagged the matter and said the excavation must stop. Yet, under the RTI, it is clear that GTDC failed to notify the ASI as required,” Gomes said.
The two questioned the absence of ASI officials at the excavation site. “In other states, archaeological finds are treated like treasure. Tourists aren’t even allowed within 200 metres of a site. But here, excavation machines are crushing artefacts. Where are the archaeologists? Why do only activists have to speak up?” Sakhardande asked.
He also pointed to an ongoing construction project in close proximity to a UNESCO-listed heritage site as evidence of the ASI’s ineffective oversight. “How did they allow this? It shows how toothless the ASI in Goa has become. They're just acting like postmen, forwarding letters from Delhi to agencies like the GTDC. We don’t need postmen – we need active officers who care,” he said.
Sakhardande recounted his personal struggle to access information from the ASI. “Even to get a document worth Rs 8, I had to wait half an hour and argue. Why are they so reluctant to part with public information? It’s not their private property,” he remarked.
When asked whether the blame lies solely with the ASI, Sakhardande responded that the Goa State Archaeology Department is equally at fault. “Apart from the 21 centrally protected monuments, what else has the ASI notified? The State Archaeology department, too, has delayed notifying places like Betul Fort and Tide Temple. Every notification needs our repeated follow-up and noise,” he said.
The two warned that theft of unearthed artefacts cannot be ruled out, especially cannonballs, which they estimate could be worth up to Rs 50,000 each in the international market. “There’s been no visible criminal proceeding from the ASI. It’s left to activists to file police complaints. But this is their job – they are paid for this, and we’re doing it out of love for heritage,” said Sakhardande.
Calling for immediate legal action, both Gomes and Sakhardande demanded accountability from those responsible for failing to protect Goa’s historical legacy.