India �wants� Koh-i-Noor back

India’s government has said it will make “all possible efforts” to get back the Koh-i-Noor diamond, part of the British Crown Jewels, sparking accusations of a u-turn after the solicitor general said the priceless gem was given to Britain, reports AFP from New Delhi.
The spectacular 108-carat gem, which came into British hands during the 19th century, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and has been claimed by at least four countries including India and Pakistan. On Monday India’s Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court it had been given to Britain and not stolen, as many Indians believe.
The transfer of ownership formed part of a peace treaty signed in 1850 after Britain gained control of the Sikh empire of the Punjab, now split between Pakistan and India.
Sikh king Ranjit Singh in turn had taken it from an Afghan king who had sought sanctuary in India. It is now set in the crown that was worn by Queen Elizabeth’s mother until her death in 2002 and is on public display in the Tower of London.
Kumar’s statement, in response to a private lawsuit brought by the All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front, a non-government organisation, sparked outrage among many Indians including Sikhs.

India �wants� Koh-i-Noor back

Indias government has said it will make all possible efforts to get back the Koh-i-Noor diamond, part of the British Crown Jewels, sparking accusations of a u-turn after the solicitor general said the priceless gem was given to Britain, reports AFP from New Delhi. The spectacular 108-carat gem, which came into British hands during the 19th century, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and has been claimed by at least four countries including India and Pakistan. On Monday Indias Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court it had been given to Britain and not stolen, as many Indians believe. The transfer of ownership formed part of a peace treaty signed in 1850 after Britain gained control of the Sikh empire of the Punjab, now split between Pakistan and India. Sikh king Ranjit Singh in turn had taken it from an Afghan king who had sought sanctuary in India. It is now set in the crown that was worn by Queen Elizabeths mother until her death in 2002 and is on public display in the Tower of London. Kumars statement, in response to a private lawsuit brought by the All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front, a non-government organisation, sparked outrage among many Indians including Sikhs.