India Agitating for Return of Koh-i-Noor Diamond

(IDEX Online News) – A group of Bollywood celebrities and businesspeople are agitating to have the Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the world’s most famous gemstones, returned to India.

According to The Independent, the group has instructed lawyers to begin legal proceedings in London’s High Court to return the stone – part of the British Crown Jewels – to India.

The group, which is called the Mountain of Light (the translation of Koh-i-Noor), alleges that the diamond was stolen from India. “The Koh-i-noor is not just a 105-carat stone, but part of our history and culture and should undoubtedly be returned,” said Bollywood star Bhumicka Singh, as quoted by The Independent.

The newspaper said that British lawyers instructed by the group said they would base their case on the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act, which gives national institutions in the UK the power to return stolen art. Lawyer Satish Jakhu said they would be taking the case to the International Court of Justice.

The diamond was gifted to Queen Victoria and currently sits in the Queen Mother’s crown.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the UK this week.