Govt Backtracks, Now Says It'll Do Whatever It Can To Bring The Kohinoor Back

The government on Tuesday said it would make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner, while emphasising that it had achieved the return of several artefacts.

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A day after solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court that the Kohinoor, one of the most storied diamonds in the world, could not be brought back as it was not stolen, the Centre rushed to clarify that the law officer's remarks could not be interpreted as the government's stand.

Seeking to rebut the perception that the SG's state ment meant the government considered the pursuit of the diamond an exercise in futility , the culture ministry said, "The government of India further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner."

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The ministry added, "The solicitor general informed the court about the history of the diamond and gave an oral statement on the basis of the existing references made available by the ASI. Thus, it should be reaffirmed that the government has not yet conveyed its views to the court, contrary to what's being misrepresented." The government on Tuesday said it would make its final submission on the issue of getting back the Kohinoor diamond in the Supreme Court in six weeks.

The statement was issued after the PMO discussed the matter with culture ministry officials amid disappointment expressed by BJP's ally, the Akalis who face elections next year and are up against a formidable challenge from AAP and Congress.

'Nehru said no ground to claim Kohinoor back'

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The ministry pointed out that the solicitor general's statement in court that the Kohinoor could not be categorized as a stolen object merely reflected the position that governments have consistently taken since 1956 when Jawaharlal Nehru was PM. "Pandit Nehru went on record saying there was no ground to claim this art treasure back. He also added that efforts to get the Kohinoor back would lead to difficulties," the statement said.

In fact, the ministry quoted Nehru as having said, "To exploit our good relations with some country to obtain free gifts from it of valuable articles does not seem to be desirable. On the other hand, it does seem to be desirable that foreign museums should have Indian objects of art."

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The ministry also claimed that ever since Narendra Modi took over as the PM, several significant pieces of India's history ¡ª a 10th century statue of Goddess Durga from Germany, an over 900-year-old sculpture Parrot Lady from Canada, and antique statues of Hindu deities from Australian art galleries were brought back. "None of these gestures affected India's relations with Canada, Germany or Australia," the ministry said.

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday contested the government's take on Kohinoor and called for immediate review of its submission made before the Supreme Court on Monday.

"What the government has said in the affidavit to the court is far from the truth as it is not possible for a 10-year-old Duleep Singh to have given it or gifted it, that too to the enemy, unless he was tricked or coerced into it by traitors in his advisory council," said SAD MP and spokesperson Prem Singh Chandumajra.