By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Armed with an interim injunction order passed by Delhi High Court, India is approaching the United States to prevent Mahatma Gandhi’s personal belongings from going under the hammer.
“The Ministry of External Affairs is going to take up with the US State Department the issue with an aim of stalling the auction at Antiquoroum Auctioneeer in New York,” Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni told PTI on Tuesday.
The MEA, through Indian consulate in New York, will argue that ownership of these items are in dispute and the Delhi High Court has given an injuction to stop the auction.
The Delhi High Court today passed an interim injuction order on the plea of Ahmedabad-based Navjivan Trust that these articles could not be sold as they belonged to India and were illegally taken away from this country.
About the next step, Soni said “whatever is required to bring back those items will be done.” There are five personal belongings of Gandhi–the iconic metal rimmed glasses, a pocket watch, sandals and utensils–are scheduled to be auctioned at Antiquoroum Auctioneer in New York on March 5.
A similar auction slated to be held in London in 1996 was stayed by the Madras High Court.
Culture Ministry officials said the first priority is to stop the auction and if that does not happen then it would like the India-America Association to participate in the bidding and acquire those items.