Sohrab Mumtaz, the New York City mayor of Indian heritage, called on His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom to consider returning the 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond, a precious gem seized by the British Empire from India in the 19th century.
This occurred during the official visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States. Mumtaz, an Indian-American, responded to reporters’ questions before attending the September 11 memorial ceremony, saying, "If I had a chance to speak with King Charles, beyond the memorial events, I would encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond," adding that his priority was to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks.
Although footage showed King Charles smiling and greeting Mayor Mumtaz cordially at the memorial, there is no confirmed report that the mayor raised this sensitive issue directly in conversation. Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter.
The 105.6-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond is currently displayed at the Tower of London and is one of the United Kingdom's most significant crown jewels, set in the crown of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The diamond's history is full of controversy, having passed through the hands of the Mughal emperors, the Shah of Iran, and the Maharaja of the Sikh Empire before becoming property of Queen Victoria in 1849, following the East India Company's conquest of the Punjab region—a transfer many view as forced under an unjust peace treaty.
For Indians, the Koh-i-Noor diamond symbolizes loss and the scars of British colonial rule. Indian authorities have repeatedly sought its return but have never succeeded. Besides India, countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan have also claimed ownership of the diamond.
However, Mumtaz's proposal has met strong opposition from conservative British politicians. Sia Yusuf, spokesperson for the Reform UK party, criticized the suggestion as disrespectful to the monarch and asserted, "This precious diamond is displayed at the Tower of London and will remain there forever."