This refers to the editorial, “lost jewel of the crown” (April 21). On day one, the Modi Government’s lawyer told the Supreme Court that the Kohinoor diamond cannot be brought back as it was neither stolen nor forcefully taken, but was gifted to the British. However, the Supreme Court expressed its reservation on the Government's stand. Taking a U-turn on day two, the Government promised to make efforts to bring back the diamond.
Refuting the Government's earlier claim that the Kohinoor was gifted to the East India Company, Kanwar Karvinder Pal Singh, the descendant of the Sikh ruler of Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, has been quoted as saying that the diamond was not gifted, but deceitfully taken from the then ruler Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was a minor. Whatever may be the case, the Kohinoor undisputedly belongs to India and is India’s pride. It will remain a prickly issue between India and Britain till it is brought home. Even if Britain got it as a gift, it will do well by handing the Kohinoor to India as a return-gift.