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The Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice to Sothabi in the auction.
The auction consists of 1,800 jewels associated with Buddha.
The remains discovered in 1898 have important historical and spiritual values.
New Delhi:
The Ministry of Culture said on Monday that it has sent a legal notice to Sothabi in Hong Kong, which asked the auction house to immediately stop the upcoming sales of Buddha’s holy jewels and return the artifacts in India.
Around 1,800 jewels – pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, garnet, coral, amthist, rock crystal, shells and gold – near a stupa from Buddha, were discovered with Buddhists with bonely pieces known as Buddhists. HK $ 100 million (about Rs 107 crore).
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture said that it had collected information about the auction and issued a legal notice to Sothabi. “The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also requested Hong Kong’s Consulate to demand an immediate termination of auction to take the matter with the authorities there,” said this.
In its statement, the Center stated that the remains, which follow the huge historical and spiritual significance, were excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peep.
“An inscription in the Brahmi script on one of the casket confirms them as the remains of Buddha, which is deposited by Shakya clan,” it said. Most of these remains were transferred to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899 and classified as ‘AA’ antiquity under Indian law, which prohibit their removal or sale.
While a part of bone remains was gifted to the king of Siam, a selection made by the descendants of Peep is now listed for auction, it has been said.
The Ministry of Culture said that the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) has been asked to coordinate with its counterpart in Hong Kong to highlight the illegality of auction and ensure compliance with international laws.
“The Ministry of Culture is stable in its efforts to protect India’s cultural heritage and ensure the repatriation of Piparahwa remains. We ask these sacred artifacts to return to our right place to withdraw the remains from Sothabi’s Hong Kong immediately from Hong Kong and to cooperate with Indian authorities.”
Sothabi response to India’s notice
The ministry said in its statement that Ivy Wong, Associate General Council, Sothabi, responded to the notice and assured “full attention” in the matter.
FirstNicolas Chow, the president of Asia, Sothabi, called the remnant “among the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all times”. The auction house has described the offer as “unique religious, archaeological and historical importance”. Mentor,
Chris Peep, one of the great-grandson and current owners of William Claxton Peep, defended the decision to sell the remains. He said that the family discovered the items donating items to temples and museums, but fled to obstacles. The auction “was the most fair and most transparent way to move these remains to Buddhists,” he told the BBC.
