Not Quite Gandhian

March 23, 2009

Recently, Mahatma Gandhi made news for a strange reason. James Otis, a New York collector, recently gave Antiquorum auctioneers five of Gandhi’s items: His iconic watch, glasses, a plate, a bowl and a pair of sandals for auction on March 6. Later, he also added a blood report of Gandhi from Irwin hospital in Delhi, and a signed telegram he had sent to students congratulating them on their peaceful struggle.

Interestingly, the auctioneers fixed the reserve price of the articles between USD 20,000 and 30,000, but ultimately, they got auctioned for USD 1.8 million!

One of the reasons for the skyrocketing price was the media hype that preceded it. The Indian government had repeatedly stated that it was determined to acquire the items. Speculations were rife on the government directing some of the Indian Americans to bid and bring the items home.

Ironically, James Otis had earlier assured the Indian government that he would stop the auction if the Indian government agreed to shift priorities from military spending to health care, especially for the poor. This was his proposal, sent to the Indian negotiators hours before the auction. Otis asked India to "substantially" increase the proportion of its budget on health care. However, the Indian government dismissed his proposal, and the auction went through in the first week of March. Finally, all the items were bought by Vijay Mallya, India’s very own liquor baron.

Political implications

This being election year, everything seems to have a tendency to get politicized. In this case too, what was being played out at the New York auction was India’s unique brand of politics. Thus, when Vijay Mallya bought the items, New Delhi immediately rushed in to stake claim for the auction of $ 1.8million. “You have seen the herculean efforts of the Congress led UPA to ensure that India's heritage comes back to us," said Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Unfortunately, the Samajwadi Party and even the BJP were trying to capitalize on the political implications of the issue. There are rumours that the second highest bidder who dropped out at $ 1.75 million at the auction was a BJP proxy. The Samajwadi Party proxy present at the auction bid till $ 1.50 million.

According to Ambika Soni, the Congress spokeswoman, Vijay Mallya was chosen by the government over Sant Singh Chatwal and a group of Gujarati NRIs. But Mallya was quick to deny it, and confirmed that he was acting completely on his own.

No stranger to auctions

Gandhi himself was no stranger to auctions. He often used to receive gifts at various villages and small towns that he visited. Being completely indifferent to material possessions, he would promptly auction them off to the highest bidder, in an effort to raise money.

But would Gandhi have approved of an Indian liquor baron bidding for, and winning the items? Throughout his life, Gandhi had insisted that the right ends could only be achieved by using the right means. Hence, debates continue to rage over whether it was unfortunate that it had to be this ‘representative,’ certainly not associated with what we know as Gandhian principles, who had to restore his belongings to the country that the legend dedicated his entire life to.

Wrangling over the items

Interestingly, a week after the auction, the US-based owner of the items reportedly wanted the articles back from the auction house, as he was unhappy over the "dispute" between liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who bought it for USD 1.8 million, and the Indian government. Otis said he would negotiate with India on the "two proposals he had submitted – increase in the spending on the poor and fully paid exhibition of Gandhi's items in 78 countries to spread the apostle of peace's message of non violence."

Apparently referring to Mallya refuting claims of Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni that the government was in touch with him before the auction on March 6, Otis said it has become a political issue and it "doesn't seem very Gandhian". Hours before the auction, Otis offered to withdraw them, but the auction house did not agree.

The US Justice Department’s intervention had been sought by the Indian government to implement the injunction issued by the Delhi High Court against auction of Gandhi's belongings. Otis is reported to have "quite a few" items in possession, including letters signed by Gandhi both in English and Gujarati, and autographed photographs.

Legal stay

Meanwhile, India has told the US government that these articles belong to the Navjivan Trust, founded by Gandhi himself. Their sale was thus illegal. "No one has the right to utilise it for commercial purpose including auctioning or sale," said a senior member from the Cultural Affairs Ministry. The Delhi High Court had issued an interim injuction in the first week of this month against the auction on the plea of the Navjivan Trust. "The US administration has to (now) decide on the issue," said the cultural affairs ministry official, adding, that their future course of action would depend upon its decision. India is also considering moving courts in other countries, seeking advance injunctions against any such sale of Gandhi items, officials said.