By Our Correspondent
PURI/NEW DELHI: National Convenor of Sri Jagannath Sena Dr. Priyadarshan Pattnayak filed a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, seeking the repatriation of the Kohinoor diamond to Shri Jagannath Temple. Dr. Pattnayak filed the case on 14th July in the ICJ unbehalf of 1.2 billion devotees of Lord Jagannath and Hindus worldwide.
The petition asserts that this priceless 105-carat diamond is rarest of the rare diamond in the world. It holds spiritual significance: if worn by a man, it is said to cause loss of eyesight. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab reportedly dedicated it to Lord Jagannath in 1839. The petition refers to his will or testament as proof.
It states that Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s temple priests Kaliyuga Pratihari of Puri has preserved this testimonial.
Now, however, Jagannath Sena insists the diamond belongs to Lord Jagannath alone. It argues that no other country—neither Bangladesh, Iran, Afghansthan nor Pakistan can claim it. The petition cites a military document from the state archives indicating Ranjit Singh defeated Iran’s Nadir Shah in battle and brought the diamond back. During his journey back through the Afghanistan–Pakistan border area (then British India), Maharaja Ranjit Singh reportedly lost his vision, and in his final will, he expressed that he was donating the Kohinoor to Lord Jagannath to restore his sight.
Ranjit Singh is said to have also donated ₹50,000 gold coins to each of the four Dhams including (Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and Puri). According to religious tradition, if a male person use it then he will be blind. Only God and a lady can don it.
it was a samyak mani (navel jewel) of Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga and later adorned by King Vikramaditya’s 32 thrones dynasties, and even Shah Jahan’s peacock throne.
Over time, the diamond has seen much bloodshed and is believed to have originated from the Golconda mines. Jagannath Sena has been waging a decade-long campaign to return it to the temple. In October 2016, Sena appealed directly to Queen Elizabeth II and Buckingham Palace, requesting its immediate return, arguing that it is religious property belonging to Lord Jagannath and 1.2 billion Hindus worldwide not the property of any nation. Buckingham Palace responded that only the UK government could decide over it.
In November 2016, Sena petitioned the Prime Minister of the UK. On January 17, 2018, when applying for a UK visa to further the effort, the UK government denied Dr. Pattnayak’s visa, claiming insufficient funds but it was a deliberate effort to block Sena’s visit to UK for Kohinoor issue.
The petition argues the diamond is not a national possession but a symbol of universal religion and Sanatan Dharma, and its retention through force is unlawful. It notes that under Ranjit Singh’s will, the diamond is clearly religious property. Many countries like Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan lost legal claim once it was established to be Lord Jagannath’s property. Only India, Odisha, and Sanatan Hindus, specifically Puri, can legitimately claim it.
Now, Sri Jagannath Sena, represented by Dr. Pattnayak, has been compelled to appeal directly to the ICJ(World Court). Since ordinary individuals cannot file such cases alone, this petition has been filed on behalf of all Sanatan Hindus world wide. Dr. Pattanaik argues religious property cannot be held by followers of another faith.
According to the petition, Maharaja Ranjit Singh died only after bequeathing the Kohinoor to Shri Jagannath; his 10-year-old grandson, Maharaja Duleep Singh, the King of the then Punjab was declared King by the British, who then allegedly conspired to seize the diamond and later gifted it to the British Queen. However, the stories they narrated is unbelievable. The masterminded behind this conspiracy was Lord Dalhousie, leading to an extension of his term in office.
Though Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have also claimed ownership, Sri Jagannath Sena argues that once established as religious property of Lord Jagannath, only India can maintain a legal claim. Odisha, Puri, and Sanatan Hindus alone can claim it.
Dr. Pattnayak plans to use media and political channels to escalate the campaign state-wide and nationally. He says this struggle will continue until success, with media acting as a sacred, independent bridge.
The petition has now been filed formally at The Hague against the UK Prime Minister, supported by widespread local backing.
He prays for the support from all corners of the country especially the Government of India headed by the Prime Minister along with all opposition parties errespective of race, tribe, creed and religion respectively.
