The Centre has launched a strong diplomatic and legal offensive to block the proposed auction of sacred Piprahwa Relics—believed to be remains of Lord Buddha—by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.
The relics, which include bone fragments, crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and other ancient offerings, were excavated in 1898 from the Piprahwa Stupa in present-day Uttar Pradesh—widely identified as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets links the relics directly to the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan. These priceless antiquities are protected under Indian law and classified as ‘AA’ antiquities, making their sale or removal from India illegal. While most of the collection was handed over to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899, some relics retained by the descendants of British excavator William Claxton Peppé have now surfaced in the auction market.
Upon learning about the planned auction by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the Ministry of Culture sprang into action.
The Ministry sent a legal notice to Sotheby’s, demanding an immediate halt to the auction. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reached out to India’s Consulate General in Hong Kong, urging intervention with local authorities to block the sale.
The issue was also escalated diplomatically. On May 2, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat took up the matter with UK Culture Secretary Rt Hon Lisa Nandy during a bilateral meeting. He underscored the deep religious and cultural value of the relics and called for urgent cooperation to stop the auction and facilitate their return to India.
A high-level review meeting was held on May 5, chaired by the Secretary of Culture, to chart out further steps. The Ministry of External Affairs has been tasked with mobilising diplomatic missions in both the UK and Hong Kong to intensify pressure.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has also been brought into the loop to engage its Hong Kong counterpart and flag the illegality of the auction under Indian and international law.
In a response to the legal notice, Ivy Wong, Associate General Counsel for Sotheby’s, acknowledged the matter and said it was receiving full attention.
The Ministry of Culture, in a strongly worded statement, said it remains firmly committed to safeguarding India’s civilizational legacy and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the relics from auction and their repatriation to India.