No documents on Kohinoor demand: MEA
The British Prime Minister has ruled out returning the gem to India
Danish Raza | New Delhi | August 05 2010
India might have been the jewel in the crown of the British empire but
it seems like the country does not care much for the bling in its
history.
The external affairs ministry has no documents proving that India ever
asked the United Kingdom (UK) goernment to return the Koh-i-noor
diamond.
A reply to an RTI application by Lucknow resident Urvashi Sharma
reveals that demand for the diamond may have been more of a request
and that too made for the sake of appearances. This, despite the
government's posturing at various times suggesting that it was indeed
serious about getting the diamond home.
The RTI application filed with the Prime Minister's Office and
transferred to the MEA sought certified copies of communication
between the governments of India and the UK in connection with
bringing back the Kohinoor diamond since 1947.
"The available documents with the concerned division of this ministry
with reference of the Kohinoor Diamond do not include any records of
correspondence, meeting, decision etc between the two governments,"
said the reply from the MEA dated June 24, 2010.
The British East Indian Company took the105 carat gemstone to London
after the annexation of Punjab in 1849. Since 1877, the famous diamond
has been a part of the Crown Jewels of the monarch.
Many times, after Independence, various governments have spoken of
demanding the return of the diamond.
Before the visit of the British prime minister David Cameron earlier
this month, Keith Vaz, the Indian-origin British MP, wanted him to
discuss the issue with India.
However, Cameron ruled out any possibility of returning the Kohinoor to India.
"What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to
one, then you would suddenly find the British Museum empty," he told
the media in India.
--
Urvashi Sharma
RTI Helpmail( Web Based )
aishwaryaj2010@gmail.com
Mobile Rti Helpline
8081898081 ( 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. )
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