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James Otis owns five personal belongings of Gandhi - his metal-rimmed glasses, pocket watch, a pair of sandals, and a plate and bowl - which India is under intense pressure to acquire on the grounds they are part of its national heritage.
"... if the (Indian) government decides to allocate five per cent of the GDP to or announces some major scheme for the poor, who're very near to the heart of Gandhi or announces some other scheme which would benefit them, I will even donate these items," he said.
Otis said that he has added two more items of Gandhiji to 'the five already being auctioned. These include his blood report from the then Irwin hospital in Delhi and a signed telegram he sent to students participating in a non-violent struggle at that time.
In fact, his statement came in the wake of several Indian-American leaders including hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, announcing their intention to bid for the rare collection and, if successful, hand it over to the Indian government.
However, it was not clear whether Otis would be able to get out of the contract with auctioneers who get commission on the sale proceeds, but he claimed that an arrangement could be worked out with them.
Neither the Antiquorum Auctioneers' spokesperson was available for comment nor an email sent elicit any response.
The auctioneers had earlier valued Gandhi's belongings at around USD 20,000 to 30,000 but the controversy could raise the price much higher.
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How did India allow these Gandhi treasures to get to Ameirica in the first place, and the so called owner needs to return them for the same price he paid for them, if he indeeed bought them. That is the kind of conscience he needs to show and demonstrate, not that of a blackmailer.
This gentle man sems to be 100 times better than our political class, who are giving lip service to the poor people of India and fattens their own bank balance for last 60 years.
I totally agree with Siva Kumar.Except rhetoric,India does not do any thing concrete to help the poor.Gandhi used to ask the new rulers of India to ask themselves how their policies impact on the poor before enacting implementing any laws or programmes.Look at India's expenses on the space programmes and the lack of even basic toilet facilities for the poor.Indian government has no money for that but has plenty to fill the pockets of defence industry and their lobbies and themselves through both.The owner of the Gandhi memorabilia should keep these things with himself.When today's India betrayed every wish of Gandhi,why do they claim his minor physical materials.India today respects more ritual than substance,unfortunately.