New age Gandhigiri

India means different things to different people, but the iconic figure of the Mahatma looms the largest. The scenes at the Antiquorum auction in New York on March 6 gave a new dimension to Gandhigiri. Some of the stuff that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi used in his lifetime: eyeglasses, pocket watch, sandals and a bowl and plate, went under the hammer. The entire lot was bought by billionaire industrialist Vijay Mallya. So in a week’s time India will be home both to the sandals worn by a great ahimsa preacher, and the sword used by an 18th century warrior-king, perhaps under the same roof, owned by a liquor baron. Mallya’s right to purchase Gandhi memorabilia is unquestioned, but the attitude of the government and the media hysteria need serious contemplation. And it is one thing for the Navajeevan Trust to create awareness about Gandhiji’s writings, but its claim to every piece of paper and shred of cloth owned, used and associated with the man is bogus. In any case, what charismatic transformation will the Mahatma’s belongings bring to India, where probably he has been disrespected the most --- from the politician who swears by his name to the crisp Rs 1,000 note. The silly hysteria fanned by the auction has become an occasion for politicians and public figures of all stripes to indulge in a sickening display of competitive sycophancy.
Gandhi himself was in favour of such auctions and did it during his time for the welfare of Dalits, a fact great grandson Tushar Gandhi might probably not be aware of. Anu Bandyopadhyaya’s Bahuroopee Gandhi with a foreword by Pandit Nehru exalts bapu’s bania traits. Gandhi, like his contemporary George Bernard Shaw who obliged autographs knowing its appraisal, might have been aware of the monetary value his items would fetch. If the Centre is really serious about retrieving Gandhi memorabilia, it should keep its coffers filled because Gandhi used to gift visitors his belongings as a token of appreciation. Moreover, the government does not have a good record of safeguarding national treasures, Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel medallion being the most glaring lapse. Perhaps it would be better for Mallya to keep the items, as he did with the sword of Tipu Sultan. At times like this one feels the father of the nation was wise to dress like a ‘half-naked fakir’ rather than wear a three-piece suit. If Gandhi had continued with his raiment from South Africa, we would require more Mallyas to bid for his leather gloves, handkerchiefs or his trouser clips.