London (PTI): British Indian MP Keith Vaz today called for the world-famous ‘Koh-i-Noor’ diamond to be returned to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UK visit in November.
Vaz’s comments came in response to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent stirring speech at the Oxford Union calling for Britain to pay reparations to India for 200 years of its brutal colonial rule.
“I welcome Dr Tharoor’s speech and the endorsement of its message by Prime Minister Modi. I share their views. These are genuine grievances which must be addressed.
“Pursuing monetary reparations is complex, time consuming and potentially fruitless, but there is no excuse for not returning precious items such as the ‘Koh-i-Noor’ diamond, a campaign I have backed for many years,” said Vaz, the longest serving British MP of Asian descent.
Modi is due to arrive in the UK in November, and Prime Minister David Cameron has gone out of his way to maintain a strong bilateral relationship.
“What a wonderful moment it would be, if and when Prime Minister Modi finishes his visit, which is much overdue, he returns to India with the promise of the diamond’s return,” Vaz said.
The ‘Koh-i-Noor’ was mined in medieval times in the Kollur Mine in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district. At one time it was considered the largest diamond in the world.
The diamond was originally owned by the Kakatiya dynasty, which had installed it in a temple of a Hindu goddess as her eye. It passed through the hands of various invaders and was finally confiscated by the British during the Raj.
Today the diamond is a part of the Crown of Queen Elizabeth II.
But till now Britain has refused demands to return the diamond to its country of origin.
It is historical. Morally should be returned to India. We would not fight over it.
British are now scared of their reputation, which they have built at the cost of other countries wealth. If they start returning, just imagine what would they have in hand left. Hence its a NO for return.
I doubt if British would ever return the diamond as it would open up the door for many more such claims by former British colonies!! Remember, most of the western European countries built their wealth by looting resources from Asia, Africa and American continent. Some are visible like this diamond while others (enormous amount of commodities and labor) are not easily visible. In addition to looting, they also did tremendous amount of damage to cultural and religious fabric of these continents.
Yes, we will get Kohinoor. But not diamond only ………
Yes, we will get Kohinoor. But not diamond only ……… – Mr. Silva
What? We get back our Kohinoor called Original Rampa – the one and ONLY chap who “looks up” Mr. Lobo and Nalina when there are potholes in M’lore every monsoon? AND that too from Yumreeka? Hahahahaha. :):)