New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made an unusual statement suggesting that King Charles III consider returning the historic Koh-i-Noor diamond to India.
The statement was made during a press conference, a few hours before the memorial ceremony for the victims of the September 11 attacks. Mamdani stressed that, if he had a meeting with the British monarch, he would encourage the return of this object of historical and symbolic importance.
A symbol of the colonial debate
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, weighing about 105 carats, is part of the British royal treasures and is kept in the Tower of London. It has a complicated history, passing through the hands of various rulers in Asia and the Middle East before ending up in British possession in the 19th century, during colonial expansion in the Punjab region.
India has repeatedly demanded the return of the diamond, considering it part of its cultural heritage taken during the colonial period. Since independence in 1947, the issue has remained a sensitive topic in relations between the two countries.
No official reaction
So far, the Royal Palace has not commented on the statement, while the mayor's office has not provided further clarification.
The Koh-i-Noor debate has been going on for decades, with governments and organizations calling for its return to its country of origin. Mamdani's latest statement brings the issue back to international attention, sparking new discussions about colonial heritage and ownership of historical artifacts. /GazetaExpress/
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