New Delhi, Apr 19: Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma Monday ruled out any action by his ministry to bring back from Britain the famed Kohinoor diamond, saying that if any call on the matter needs to be taken, it will be at the diplomatic level.
“If a diplomatic call needs to be taken (to bring back Kohinoor), it would be taken by the Indian government or External Affairs Ministry at the right time…the Culture Ministry will not take any initiative (to get back the diamond),” Sharma told reporters here.
Noting that the issue dates back to the pre-Independence period, he said, “According to the guidelines, if any of our antiquities is found anywhere after Independence, the Culture Ministry takes initiatives to get it back.”
However, issues of antiquities before Independence “do not come under the purview of the Culture Ministry,” he said.
He told that the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the precious diamond was gifted by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company, he said, “As per our records, it was gifted.”
Earlier, the government told the apex court that the 105.6-carat diamond was neither “stolen” nor “forcibly taken away” by the British.
Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the government, said the diamond was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company.
The apex court had on April 9 asked the Centre to disclose its stand on bringing back the diamond while hearing a petition filed by All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front.
The 108-carat unique Kohinoor diamond estimated to cost over USD 200 million was neither stolen nor “forcibly” taken by British rulers but given to East India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab 167 years back, Government today told the Supreme Court which wanted legal remedies to be kept open to get it back.
“Kohinoor cannot said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars,” Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur.
Kohinoor, which means Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century. The 108-carat Kohinoor gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries including India.
The PIL filed by All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front sought directions to the Indian High Commissioner in United Kingdom for the return of the diamond, besides several other treasures.
