Chandigarh body seeks Vice-Presidents’ help to halt auction of Panjab University heritage furniture in U.S.

On August 11, 2026, the Chandigarh Administration's Heritage Items Protection Cell reached out to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Chancellor of Panjab University, in a desperate attempt to halt the auction of university heritage furniture items set to take place in the United States on August 13. The request was made through a letter penned by advocate Ajay Jagga, a member of the Heritage Items Protection Cell, who expressed alarm at the planned sale of items that have deep ties to the institution.

Among the items up for bid are a set of eight dining chairs designated as the student residence chairs of Panjab University, valued between $12,000 and $15,000, as well as a writing chair from the university, with an estimated value of $3,000 to $4,000. The advocate emphasized that as a leading national institution, Panjab University carries a moral and institutional obligation to protect its heritage, and thus, a formal objection to the proposed auction should be filed immediately.

Jagga highlighted the unconstitutional nature of the sale and questioned the actions of those responsible, suggesting that a thorough investigation be conducted to uncover the circumstances surrounding the sale, which took place despite a ban issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. He invoked Article 51A(f) of the Constitution, which calls for citizens to cherish and preserve India's cultural heritage, and Article 49, which pertains to the protection of monuments, places, and objects of national importance.