HONG KONG (AP) — Sotheby’s on Wednesday deferred an auction of jewels linked to Buddha’s remains following the Indian government’s opposition to the sale and their insistence that it cease.

According to the auction house, the precious gems up for auction were unearthed together in northern India in 1898, concealed within reliquaries alongside the physical remains of the historical Buddha. They reportedly originate from the period between approximately 240 and 200 BC.

However, India's Ministry of Culture announced via a Facebook post on Tuesday that it had issued a legal injunction to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, demanding an immediate cessation of the sale and alleging that the auction contravened "Indian legislation, international customs, and UN accords."

In a letter sent to Sotheby's Hong Kong and shared on Facebook on Monday, it was stated that the auction includes important Buddhist items. These items are considered a key part of the religious and cultural history of India and Buddhists around the world. The letter asked for the items to be returned to the Indian government and for Sotheby's and Chris Peppé to say sorry publicly.

Peppé is a great-grandson of the British William Peppé, who was responsible for excavating the relics.

The Indian government's letter cautioned that non-compliance would lead to legal proceedings and public campaigns, underscoring the auction house's involvement "in sustaining colonial inequities and participating in the unethical sale of religious artefacts."

Sotheby’s declared the postponement in a Wednesday statement, acknowledging the issues raised by the Indian government and stating it was carried out with the consignors' consent.

"This will facilitate dialogue between the parties, and we anticipate communicating any pertinent developments in due course," it stated.

Several webpages on Sotheby's website detailing the auction were inaccessible on Wednesday.

The Indian Ministry of Culture announced on Facebook on Wednesday that it was "pleased to inform" that the auction had been postponed following its intervention.