The Indian government said on Tuesday that it was committed to bringing back the Kohinoor diamond from the United Kingdom in an “amicable manner” just a day after the Solicitor General told Supreme Court that Kohinoor was a gift to the British.
Solicitor General of India, Ranjit Kumar had told the highest court of the country that the diamond had been voluntarily given to the British by the successor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as compensation for the help during the Sikh wars.
India's culture ministry said that the media coverage on the government’s stance about Kohinoor was “not based on facts”.
"The government of India further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner," said a ministry spokesperson.
The government said the Solicitor General informed the Supreme Court about the history of the diamond and gave an oral statement on the basis of the existing references made available by the ASI.
According to a report published in The Times of India, 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.
The social media, in the meanwhile, termed it as 'U Turn' by the Indian government.
After the solicitor general's statement before the supreme court on Monday, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee has staked claim to the diamond saying it was taken by the British in a deceitful manner and the Sikhs were its "legitimate owners".
