By IANS,
New Delhi : With pressure mounting to stop the auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s artefacts in the US, the government Saturday said it is “exploring all options” to prevent this.
Five personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi – a pocket watch, spectacles, sandals, bowl and plate – are up for auction March 4-5 in New York.
“The culture ministry is exploring all options to stop these items from being auctioned. We are taking all steps to bring the items back to India soon,” a senior ministry official told IANS.
There has been a lot of pressure on the Indian government from Gandhians and concerned citizens to intervene in the matter.
“The ministry will soon arrive at a decision as the auction dates are very near,” the official added.
According to the culture ministry, the Indian embassy in Washington and consulate in New York have been asked to take up the matter with the auctioneers.
Gandhi’s great grandson Tushar Gandhi welcomed the government’s decision to intervene.
“I am overjoyed that the government is taking steps to stop the auction of Gandhian artefacts. They belong to the people of India and should be brought back to India for people to see them,” Tushar Gandhi told IANS.