A historian suggests returning looted artefacts to India instead of paying massive reparations, as a report claims India is owed £52 trillion.
London: A historian recently proposed that instead of paying huge reparations, Britain should return artefacts taken from India during colonial times. This comes after an Oxfam report claimed India is owed a staggering £52 trillion.
The report argues that Western nations should pay former colonies at least £4 trillion each year as reparations and for climate debt. It highlights the financial exploitation of India, estimating that between 1765 and 1900, the UK extracted wealth worth about $33.8 trillion from India alone.
Interestingly, the report mentions that this amount could cover London’s surface area in £50 notes nearly four times! The £52 trillion figure, while not calculated by Oxfam, was attributed to two Indian economists from Delhi.
According to the report, reparations are essential for those who suffered under colonial rule. It emphasizes the need for a fairer economic system to combat poverty, suggesting that the wealthiest should bear the costs.
Rana Safvi, a prominent Indian historian, raised concerns about the feasibility of such large monetary reparations. She believes returning artefacts, documents, and treasures taken from India is a more practical approach.
Some academics criticized the Oxfam report, arguing that it distorts history. One professor even suggested that India should pay Britain for its historical protection against other colonial powers.
Oxfam acknowledged that putting a precise figure on colonialism’s cost is challenging but insists that Britain gained significantly from its empire, especially in India.
The report also pointed out that billionaire wealth is growing rapidly, while poverty levels remain stagnant. It highlighted that most billionaire wealth comes from inheritance or monopolistic practices.
Oxfam advocates for reparations to address the historical injustices of colonialism and calls for reforms targeting the wealthiest individuals and corporations, not ordinary citizens.
In conclusion, Oxfam’s executive director emphasized the urgent need to confront the lasting impacts of colonialism and to provide reparations to affected communities. The report serves as a wake-up call about the growing wealth gap and the need for systemic change.
