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"The gentleman (the one who bought Gandhi's items) is from the opposing party than the government. So, they are already in dispute over what is going to happen to the items," James Otis, owner of the five articles, said.
He was non-committal when asked as to whether he would donate the items to India if he got them back.
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 claim 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 from the auction but the auction house did not agree.
The US Justice Department, whose intervention was sought by the Indian government to implement the injunction issued by the Delhi High Court against auction of Gandhi's belongings, had asked Antiquorum Auctioneers not to transfer the items to the buyer for two weeks.
"I am feeling very unhappy about this whole thing... I would have been able to raise a million dollars for non-violent causes... I decided to come back to New York as I did today and contact by Attorney. And we are now in the process of doing certain steps to get them return to me immediately," Otis told an Indian TV channel.
His attorney Ravi Batra said that he is sending a letter to the auctioneers, saying that the owner does not approve of the sale and wants all five items to be returned to him.
Depending on their response, Ravi said he would take legal steps to get Gandhi's iconic round glasses, a watch, a pair of sandals, a bowl and a plate in which he was said to have taken his last meal returned to Otis.
The Indian government had rejected the proposals sent by Otis contending that conditions set by him infringed on the country's sovereignty.
But, Otis said he had not heard formally so far from the Government and seen only press reports. Otis said he is refining the proposal to be more specific which would be sent to the government through Consul General Prabhu Dayal.
Batra said he plans to send the letter to the auctioneers latest by Monday with copies to Dayal and Tony Bedi, who had successfully bid on behalf of Mallya.
The auctioneers did not return phone calls seeking their comment on the latest development.
To a question as to what he plans to do with the rest of Gandhi's items in his possession, Otis said he had not decided yet and would continue to talk with the Indian government.
Asked how many items he had, Otis said, "quite a few." The items in possession, he said, include letters signed by Gandhi both in English and Gujarati and autographed photographs.
Prior to the auction on March 6, Otis had said he is adding two more items to already five offered for auction. The two, he said, were a blood report of Gandhi from Irwin Hospital, now known as Jayapraksh Narayan Hosptal, and a signed telegram sent by Gandhi to students on their successful non-violent agitation.
But the auctioneers did not include the items apparently because they were not in the catalogue they had circulated.
Mallya's move to bid for Gandhi's items came as a total surprise as his name was never mentioned among those who might bid for the items. The bid on the floor was made by Bedi and it was not until the auction was over that the liquor baron's name surfaced to the surprise of everyone present.
One of the bidders was a South African, who was very much interested in the items. Bids were received over the phone and Internet from overseas. None of the bidders were identified.
So much interest was aroused that the auctioneers showed a small clip of Gandhi's everyday activities before bringing his belongings to auction. And the bid increased so fast that it was impossible to keep track.
Within three minutes, the bid had reached USD one million. After that it slowed downed a bit but picked pace against. Once it reached USD 1.8 million, the person auctioning the items waited for quite a while before bringing down the hammer.
Otis' remarks degrades name of Mahatma
As the owner of Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia, which were auctioned last week, demanded that the items be returned to him, Tushar Gandhi today said such statements "degraded" the name of his great-grandfather.
"They are degrading the name of my great-grandfather by making all these dramatic statements," Tushar Gandhi told a TV news channel.
James Otis, the US-based owner of the items, said he wanted these back from the auction house as he was unhappy over the "dispute" between liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who bought the articles for USD 1.8 million, and the Indian government over the memorabilia.
Tushar Gandhi also questioned Otis' authority to deliver a moral judgement on India.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said she was not in a position to comment on the remarks of a private individual.
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He will probably get them back so that he can put them on auction once again and get a higher amount than 1.8 million. Very greedy of him to do that.
what india needs today are gandhian values, which everyone has comfortably forgotten, not his chappals and lottas. gandhi was against materialism, so buying and selling of his own items is a direct insult to him....
Looks like Otis has suddenly realised that he is missing a gold mine and is not satisfied with the mere 2 million $. He is now frantically trying to get back the lost wealth by trying all sorts of gimmicks. Otis Bhai, be satisfied with what you have got - particularly out of unfairly (though perhaps legally) acquired property. C'mon, let's face it. Who would want to buy old chappals unless they see some value ? And if you are really a gandhi Memorablia collector, why would you want to sell them ?? No Sir, You are a gambler, investor and visionary all bundled in one. You have made your profit with your excellent perceptions, gamble and investments - now dont screw it up. Just go laughing to the bank - before you lose all.
everybody to keep in mind that death is certain for every human,when a leader is dead and if we truly love him we must take his teachings forward and lead our life.Ghandiji was very simple and straight forward leader, we lost the leader then what we will do with his things. we must take his teachings to our mind not the things. shame on every indian and the government that a liquor tycoon purchased the valuable things of indian heritage.wow liquor tycoon on indian heritage, his liquor is killing indians and he wants to work for indian heritage.where are the so called ghandians,they may weep for ghandi and his things.
these things are not enough to fit in our restrooms.
Could someone please tell me... How come Gandhi's item went to USA ? where as he was assinated in New Delhi ?
Let OTIS have the Chappals and glasses, what the poor need is ROTIS! Kapda and Makan.
Instead of spending money on Gandhi's old chappals and glasses use this money to help the poor by providing them schools, toilets and strict family planning methods. Gandhi is dead and gone and let his chappals just travel into the living rooms of the rich. By the Indian government going after it they have increased the value of this USELESS item.
Otis is a blackmailer and a hypocrite ,trying to get not only rich but also famous by misusing Gadhiji's name. If he is really sincere in his concern for the poor ,he shuold donate the millions of dollars which he has got by auctioning Gandhji's belongings.
James Otis by making controversial statements has got what he wanted - More Money. Therefore, he should now stop talking further about the Gandhi goods auction. The more he now talks, the more he would be disliked and ridiculed, especially inside India. India does not need his advice on how it is to look after itself, its defence forces, its poor and public health. If Otis is so concerned about India's poor, he should show his bona fides by first donating all the money he has got from this sale to Indian Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Just talking and giving sermons in thin air do not impress any Indian.
how did gandhiji's personal belonging ever reach to an american? how could this ever happen that gandhiji's glasses, bowl etc reach US with out the intervention of the government of the day? embarrassing and awkward that national treasure of the national icon could be smuggled out so easily and for all these years be forgotten!
The authorities should look into the manner in which Otis came to acquire these objects. Did he buy them? From whom? Or were they acquired by him under false pretexts? Inquiring minds want to know ............
The very purpose of Mr.Otis taking possession of those items few years before is to MAKE MONEY at the appropriate time. He seem to be sheding crocadile tears. If he is really have the feeling for the Gandian values, he would not have attached any money value for the items used by Gandhi. But such is money minded mentality of such humans namely Mr. Otis, there came in the news about another person who bought a scooped mud and sand where gandhi's blood was soaked. Mr. Otis, should, after realizing the money out auction, have donated the entire amount for the cause of the poor. Did he do so? There is no proof for that. Instead he wants the Indian Govt to spend money on poor so that he could garner some monetarty benefits out of that. We Indians should also value Gandhi's teaching and that too not through in monitary terms.
OTIS - Is commericalising Gandhi to rise up not knowing that he is sinking. He does not even have a quarter of penny worth or understanding of Gandhian teachings. Had he had them, he would not have started this drama itself. It is a well planned fund raising, cheap publicity stunt. He wants to take these items back only to re-auction and get 'N' timea more money.On the other hand we have the stupid Indian Politicians, may it be ruling or opposing, who wants tokeep such issues alive and captialise on them.And finally it is the we bunch of people who prefer to write from the comfort of our drawing rooms on to such articles. It only takes few letters to Mahatma's Navjivan trust to set up a fund and each one of us contributing a merely Rs 100.00 from about 3 or 5 million of the 1000 Rich and Poor million Indian population to get these articles back, even if it means paying this huge amount.WE ARE INDIANS, WE WILL NOT MOVE OUR XXX
India has over 45% children underweight and significant portion of them are malnourished.Its only correct that Gov spends at least 5% on poor. I thought they would be spending more, but it turns out they are putting all that into their own pockets or into the pockets of the rich. Today's india does not deserve Gandhiji's legacy. There are many people around the world who are true disciples of non-violence and Gandhiji. These people should have the chance to see the items and be inspired and so we should support a world tour. Gandhi always stood up for the poor. Shame on us that we do not, and instead just want his bowl and plate for national pride. As almost half our people are not properly fed, what we have instead is national disgrace. Only we are too stupid to realize that.
these things that were bought by vijay mallya are not enough to fit our restroom. its total rubbish.
There is no need what so ever to have Bapuji's personal belongings in the country where his idealogies are being abused everday and night. Moreover Otis and his country need it more for they need to realize "non violence" and its meaning.
This is becoming a ''Tamasha'' in the name of Gandhi. Otis must have taken this step when issues were raised long back on India getting its National Heritage. He should have been rightful enough to actually hand them over to India Government. why this act of peace
Whether it is Mr. Mallaiya or any body else, first of all we should learn to see them as Indian. The money which comes out of selling a dog will not bark. Only the dog will bark. Many people have many business and why the incapable people who cannot raise to his (Mallaiya's) standards, cry for these things? And, this bloody money minded fellow, Otis..... Why the hell he is bothered about the background of the buyer, now? If he is so concerned, let him give away the rest of the things to Indian Government as a Gift. Ambika Soni's statements are just a public stunt on the instructions of this Italian Lady. It is a big shame on our country that the fate of such a beautiful, large and traditional Hindu country is in the hands of a foreign lady who never knows the values and ethics of India. In one way, Mahatma Gandhi is the cause and now, even his valuable possessions are ill-treated by the same family.
this guy wana play games with govt of india ...it looks as if its simple publicity stunt...........if he was real in intentions , then why he do the auction for the things of Mahatma??..........this is jus a cheap guy .......who want to be addressed like a statesmen .......by the great indian govt.................what the hell ......jus govt of india should treat this guy as a cheap guy.........................an through some money on his face............this guy does not deserve to have belongings of great "father of our nation".......otis thinking is so cheap
First and foremost fact to be kept in mind is that, Mahatma Gandhi is an Immortal being not only in India but all over the world. He never attached to any material possession possessions whatever he merely possessed bare
James Otis - must not make this moral talk...When he SOLD those pious items...He disclosed his business mindedness and lust(he may shout he needed it though) for money. Had he honoured Gandhi Ji's items, he would have dealt with Govt directly.
He's going to donate the money fully to set up Gandhi centres all over the world he said. So where goes your "Business Mindedness" Sir?. Please read well, research, find the truth before rattling off whatevery you fancy._______________________________________To everybody, Gandhi's most important ideal was to uplift the standard of living of the people, it was not the drinkiing or smoking. Wonder how mich people understand Gandhi. Thats why he wore no clothes virtually, until the day everybody had good clothes.
I am sure Indian Govt. and Ambika Soni is behind all these as they want to save their face after blatant lies of Ambika Soni who represant Indian Govt. Mr. Otis you have no other business rather want to stay in news for silly things like that?
This guy,Otis is most cunning person and is trying all silly tricks to be in media and achieve some popularity.He wanted to get maximum like every other businessman will do but first statement was that he will return Gandhi's articles to the GOI if the Govt promises to spend one fourth of nation's income(GDP)for poors.This was only aimed to increase the interest and value of the articles to be auctioned.Now he is asking back wit5h idiotic arguement that Vijay Mallya was anti-present Govt.What the hell he has to do with Indian Govt,India or who bought the articles.He had intentionally put on auction and Mallya successfully and fairly bought.This guy is playing pranks for cheap publicity.Moreover he claimed to be in possession of more articles belonging to Mahatma Gandhi and if he is so concerned why can't he ask for the price directly from GOI or donate to some museum.I guess he got bigger offer/bid from ashamed Ambika Soni for lies and Cong's false claims.
What the hell is going on ??? Otis seemes to be prompted by Sonia's Congress as it lost face publicly whe Mallya refuted Ambika Soni's claim. If given back Otis, a white man, will give them back to India thro' Congress....BTW I don't see why we Indians should bother about things NOT EVEN WORTH A DIME....Gandhi had oushed my country into the hands of Nehru Family...
What he thought when he autctioned those article? Would a saint come forward and pay 2 million to him and hand it over to Indian Government !? No saint can have that sort of money. He should be insane.
This Congress Govt. is making fool of us. Mallya has showed it again and this congress wants to tale credit of it. Shame. Do we really deserve Gandhiji stuff ? We can't even walk a simple step shown by him. Down - Congess.