Protecting museums

The Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI’s) latest rule banning selfie sticks at its 46 site museums across the country is likely to restore some discipline among self-obsessed tourists. Little do they realise that the stick not only inconveniences other visitors, but can also damage the fragile, ancient artefacts that are on display at these museums. The items on display at such places are small and movable antiquities recovered from ancient sites.

Wherever possible, the ASI tries to keep them in close association with the remains to which they belong. What selfie-takers tend to forget is that such places have tremendous historical significance since they help map the contours of a rich and variegated past. In fact, the ASI should ban all kinds of photography since it compromises the security and sanctity of such places. Two years ago, museums across the United States have gradually been imposing bans on using selfie sticks for photographs inside galleries.

The stick has now been clubbed with other banned items such as umbrellas, backpacks, tripods and monopods. It is a crowd-controlling measure as part of the museums’ mission. In Europe, too, art galleries and museums have adopted a strict view on such narcissistic photography. Britain’s National Gallery and the House of Versailles outside Paris have banned selfie-sticks. The war on selfie-sticks has long gathered momentum worldwide. India should have followed suit a few years ago. The government should consider rendering all possible help to the ASI’s efforts.