The Indian government and Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar are both taking measures to prevent the sale of some of the legendary human rights leader's personal possessions. The items, which include Gandhi’s round glasses, sandals, pocket watch, and selected dishes, are scheduled for auction at New York’s Antiquorum Auctioneers March 4–5, reports Agence France-Presse.

A special Indian government committee has met twice and submitted recommendations for the return of the items. Such committees have generated results in the past: In 2007 the Indian culture ministry was successfully able to negotiate the return of a letter written by Gandhi shortly before his death from Christie's.

Tushar Gandhi has also started a public appeal to raise funds to allow the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in Mumbai to purchase the items. So far he has collected 125,000 rupees ($2,500) in donations, including one anonymous pledge for around 100,000 rupees. Antiquorum told Tushar that the items will likely sell above their collective estimate of $20–30,000.

The pieces are currently owned by a German collector who acquired them from Gandhi’s grandniece, Ghita. Tushar has spoken out against Ghita, saying that it was not “morally right” for her to provide a letter of authenticity to facilitate the sale.

He has also stated that the sale of these items would be a “grave insult” to Gandhi’s legacy. Members of the Indian parliament have recommended the pieces for public display.