Font Size 
SGPC threatens to sue top UK auction house | Why?
Published on Sat, Apr 05, 2008 at 08:49, Updated on Sat, Apr 05, 2008 at 09:09 in 
Tags: 
A MATTER OF FAITH: SGPC's fact-finding team will meet on Saturday to discuss course of action against Sotheby's.
London: An 18th century piece of history is at the centre of a controversy in the UK. Inscribed with the opening verse of a Sikh holy scripture, an armour will go under the hammer at Sotheby's in London next week.
But the highest Sikh body, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, has threatened to sue Sotheby's for linking the armour to Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru.
Though Sotheby's issued a clarification, admitting to their misreading of the relic, the SGPC says its fact- finding committee is probing the armour's origin.
It accuses Sotheby's of playing with Sikh sentiments to drive up prices.
After the controversy, many amongst the UK-based Sikhs might not bid for this armour, but it still is a highlight of the sale next week. Estimated at between £10-12,000, it remains to be seen how much it finally goes for and to whom.
One among those who will not be bidding now is NRI businessman Ajinder Pal Singh Chawla, a local businessman, who was coordinating the bidding process if the armour were that of the Guru.
He says that when it comes to religious artefacts, a clear verification should be carried out responsibly.
“When it comes to religious items, they should be presented carefully because it involves sentiments, emotions which get hyped. And then blame is apportioned. There should be a body to verify that such religious artifacts belong to that religion,” he says.
Sotheby's says it has not been given any evidence to indicate ownership. In a statement it regretted its catalogue notes may not been sufficiently clear on this point.
The SGPC fact-finding commission will meet on Saturday.
To read IBNLive stories on mobile, log on to m.ibnlive.com on your mobile browser
| Related Ads: | |
Read Comment | Post Comment
Read more comment »