India

Gandhi’s belongings won at auction by Indian, who will send them home

Article published on the 2009-03-06 Latest update 2009-03-06 10:50 TU

Mahatma Gandhi's wire rimmed glasses, on display before the auction
(Photo: Reuters)

Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi’s few posessions were bought by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya for 1.8 million dollars (1.4 million euros) when then went on sale at auction in New York Thursday. The Indian government had contested the sale of the five items, which include Gandhi’s round glasses, sandals and pocket watch, saying they were part of the country’s national heritage and belonged in a museum. Mallya says that he will bring the items back to India.

Gandhi's watch
(Photo: Reuters)

Mahatma Gandhi’s few positions were bought by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya for 1.8 million dollars (1.4 million euros) when they went on sale at auction in New York Thursday.

The Indian government had contested the auction of the five items, which include Gandhi’s round glasses, sandals and pocket watch, saying they were part of the country’s national heritage and belonged in a museum. Mallya has indicated that he would bring the items back to India.

The man bidding on Mallya’s behalf, Tony Bedi, said his client was “bidding for the country” after he won the auction.

Items belonging to Gandhi, including a plate and bowl, and leather sandals
(Photo: Reuters)

The seller, James Otis, a documentary filmmaker and pacifist, who had initially insisted on the sale, tried to stop the auction right before it opened, “in light of the controversy”, he told journalists in front of the Antiquorum auction house.

But it was too late, and the auction went ahead. Antiquorum has put a two-week delay on delivering the items to sort out a threatened lawsuit by Otis.

Through his lawyer, Otis said he wanted to stop the sale because he feared that they would be sold to the wrong person, for example a foreign dictator.