The Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Trust has expressed deep anguish over the Centre’s statement in the apex court on Monday that the Kohinoor was not stolen but “gifted” to Britain. “This is an irresponsible statement. Kohinoor diamond was the pride of not only Punjabis but the whole country,” said Ranjit Singh Talwandi, president of the Trust, which manages the Maharaja Duleep Singh Museum at Bassian Kothi-Ludhiana. The museum has a replica of the Kohinoor diamond. Read | Kohinoor was a gift, not stolen by British rulers, Govt tells Supreme Court The Kohinoor , one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was presented to Queen Victoria by 13-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh ruler. Read | Yesterday, Govt said Kohinoor was a gift, today it wants it back Parminder Singh Jatpuri, general secretary of the memorial trust, said, “Maharaja Duleep Singh was a child then. He had no idea as to what he was gifting and later, he also sought to reclaim the Kohinoor and wrote to the British government. Rather than using those letters as proof, the Indian government is washing its hands of the matter by saying it was gifted to Britain.” “It was worn by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his armlet and hence it was part of heritage of India. Instead of making efforts to claim Kohinoor from Britain, such statements show the laid back attitude of our Government,” said Gurbhajan Singh Gill, noted poet and Chairman of Memorial Trust. The Kohinoor, part of the Crown jewels, is on display in the Tower of London. WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE
