Kohinoor given away voluntarily to British: Govt.

The centre has told the Supreme Court that the Kohinoor was given away voluntarily to British. This was stated by the centre during a hearing of a petition filed by an NGO, on whether the government intends to make a bid to get back the Kohinoor.

What the centre says?

The heirs of Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave the Kohinoor to the British as voluntary compensation to cover the expenses of the Anglo-Sikh Wars.

Way ahead:

The court has asked the petitioner to file a comprehensive affidavit covering all possible dimensions of the matter after consulting the Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Ministry of Culture.

Background:

• The return of Kohinoor diamond to India has been a long-standing demand, with many claiming that the diamond was taken forcibly. The fight to get back the diamond has been ongoing since India’s independence.
• The Indian government, believing the gem was rightfully theirs, made the first demand for the return of the Kohinoor diamond soon after independence. A second request followed in 1953, the year of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Each time, the British government refuted the claims, saying that ownership was non-negotiable.
• In 2000, several members of the Indian Parliament signed a letter calling for the diamond to be given back to India, claiming it was taken illegally. British officials said that a variety of claims meant it was impossible to establish the gem’s original owner.

Who owns the diamond, anyway?

It is not just India that is claiming ownership of the diamond; the list includes Pakistan and Aghanistan, too.

Key facts:

• The diamond belonged to the Sikh Ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• It has been in British possession for more than 150 years.
• It is now priced at 100 million euros.