Respect India’s decision on Kohinoor: Vaz

London/Delhi, April 19

The people should “respect” the Indian Government’s decision on 108-carat unique Kohinoor diamond and support it, Britain’s longest serving MP of Asian origin in the House of Commons Keith Vaz said today.

The government made a statement to the Supreme Court yesterday that India should not try to reclaim the diamond as it was given to Britain as a gift.

“The Indian Government has made its decision and we should respect and support it. This draws a line under this particular campaign. There may of course be other issues that need to be pursued. I am sure Her Majesty the Queen will be pleased as she celebrates her 90th birthday,” Vaz said.

During the hearing of a PIL in the apex court, the Ministry of Culture had said Kohinoor could not be 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.

Kohinoor, which means Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in southern India in early 14th century. The gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four nations including India.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh today criticised the BJP-led NDA government for its stand on Kohinoor.

“The BJP (when in Opposition) used to allege that Congress was not bringing back the Kohinoor. But now it is giving in writing in the SC that it was gifted and not taken away,” Singh said. — PTI