Auction House Halts Sale of Controversial Naga Skull Amid Outcry

A UK auction house withdrew a Naga human skull from sale following protests from India, particularly Nagaland, over cultural and ethical concerns. The sale was condemned as disrespectful and the skull might be repatriated. The incident sparked dialogue on the ethical treatment of human remains in collections.

A UK auction house, The Swan at Tetsworth, has withdrawn a Naga human skull from its online auction following strong protests from India. The sale had sparked outrage particularly in Nagaland, where leaders termed it disrespectful to the community.

The proposed auction included various human remains from global communities, raising ethical questions about the treatment of ancestral artifacts. The owner of the auction house, Tom Keane, expressed that the decision was made to avoid causing upset, despite the legality of the auction.

The controversy has reignited discussions about the right to dignity for Indigenous Peoples, as outlined in international declarations. There are calls for the Naga skull to be repatriated, and the event highlights ongoing debates over the ethical considerations of historical artifacts in private and institutional collections.

(With inputs from agencies.)