Months after returning to India from Sotheby’s Hong Kong-almost 130 years since they were taken away by William Peppé-the sacred Buddhist relics of Piprahwa are set to be displayed for the first time in New Delhi. Ahead of the exhibition, Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal spoke to The Indian Express.
The Sotheby’s auction for these relics was initially scheduled for May 7. Aggarwal, who became Culture Secretary on April 21, immediately began investigating the situation after it was raised by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He gathered relevant details, informed key agencies such as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and began exploring legal options.
The relics in question included bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, gold ornaments, and gemstones, some of which were in Peppé’s possession when he took them to Britain. His great-grandson, Chris Peppé, had placed these items up for auction.
Aggarwal convened a high-level meeting to develop a strategy. Shekhawat had previously brought the issue to the attention of UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, during a bilateral meeting. However, Nandy expressed her government’s inability to intervene.
With the auction set for 10 a.m. Hong Kong time on May 7, the challenge was significant: the auction was outside India’s legal jurisdiction, time was short, and the issue resonated emotionally across the country. The team decided to serve notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, referencing Indian laws and international conventions like UNESCO’s 1970 Convention and UNIDROIT’s 1995 Convention, both aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The notice requested an immediate halt to the auction, a public apology, and full disclosure of all relevant documents, warning of potential diplomatic repercussions for non-compliance.
Aggarwal’s previous experience as the director of India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) was instrumental. A notice to stop the auction was issued under the EGMONT protocol to FIU Hong Kong the same day. The External Affairs Ministry coordinated with embassies in the UK and Hong Kong to follow up. After intense pressure, Sotheby’s agreed to discussions on May 6.
Sotheby’s had reportedly contended that, since the items left India before Independence, India had no claim. In response, Indian officials highlighted the global movement towards repatriating cultural heritage and stressed that under Indian and international laws, the sacred śarīra-dhātu (body relics) of the Buddha could not be deemed saleable objects.
Efforts continued until late on May 6. Around 5 a.m. India time on May 7, Aggarwal received an email from Sotheby’s announcing that the auction had been postponed-a major relief.
The primary goal was to ensure the relics’ return to India. One avenue explored was a public-private partnership (PPP). Shortly after, Indian philanthropist Pirojsha Godrej reached out to Sotheby’s, expressing his desire to acquire and return the relics to India. A tripartite meeting included Godrej, Sotheby’s, and Peppé’s agent.
While Aggarwal did not inquire about financial specifics, he insisted that the relics be placed in the Indian government’s possession. They would be inalienable, meaning they could not be sold or moved out of India without permission. Most of the relics will be displayed in a government museum for five years before being transferred to a museum established by Godrej.
After the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed, the Ministry confirmed that Godrej had taken possession of the relics in Hong Kong. On July 30, the gem cases were ceremonially received at Palam airport by Aggarwal and the Minister. Prime Minister Modi called it “a joyous moment” for India’s heritage. Throughout the process, the Prime Minister and his office provided crucial guidance, resulting in a historic repatriation under the PPP model.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/union-culture-secretary-vivek-aggarwal-told-sothebys-that-buddhas-relics-cannot-be-treated-as-objects-for-sale-10417765/
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Publish Date: 2025-12-13 05:39:00
