RS MP thanks PM Modi for move to halt auction of Buddha relics in HK
Brij Lal
expressed satisfaction over the suspension of the auction of
sacred relics of Lord Buddha
that was scheduled at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on May 7.The relics, believed to be unearthed from the Piprahwa stupa in present-day UP's Siddharthnagar district, were excavated in 1898 by British indigo planter William Claxton Peppé.Peppé is also credited with promoting the cultivation of the ancient Kala Namak rice after reportedly tasting it in 1848 and subsequently growing it in the Terai regions of Gorakhpur and Gonda.According to Brij Lal, Peppé tunnelled into the Piprahwa stupa and removed a soapstone casket containing sacred relics, ornaments, and gemstones linked to Lord Buddha.
These were later taken to London by his family and were set to be auctioned in Hong Kong by his descendants.Brij Lal said that upon learning about the proposed auction, he wrote to PM Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar, and Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on May 5, urging them to act swiftly.The govt of India responded promptly, and through the coordinated efforts of the ministry of culture, Archaeological Survey of India and MEA, a legal notice was issued to Sotheby's and Peppé's great-grandson, Chris Peppé. This led to Sotheby's informing Indian authorities on May 7 that the auction was postponed, and further discussions would be held."I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi, who, despite being preoccupied with Operation Sindoor, took swift and decisive action to halt the auction ," Brij Lal told TOI.Brij Lal expressed hope that the halted auction will pave the way for the relics to be returned to India.
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