On Thursday, an auction house failed to find a buyer willing to pay even half the expected amount for three handwritten letters by Mahatma Gandhi, one of which point the finger at his eldest son Harilal of committing rape.
Shropshire-based Mullock’s had expected the letters locks had expected to fetch no less than £80,000. On the contrary, the letters opened for auction at just £20,000 -and failed to find a buyer even then. The lot was “passed“-meaning remained unsold.
The three letters dated June 6, June 19 and June 27 1935, discuss Harilal’s situation, his relationships and his behaviour -saying he has been accused of deceitful about his behaviour with two women.
Gandhi wrote that Harilal’s daughter Manu, who was at that time staying with him at Seva gram in Wardha, had told about Harilal having raped his sister-in-law.
The letters are printed in Gandhi’s native Gujarati and are in good condition.
“Please let me have pure truth please tell me if still you are interested in alcohol and debauchery, “a letter reads.
“I wish that you better die rather than resort to alcohol in any manner. “Gandhi further says: “You should know that your problem has become much more difficult for me even than our national freedom. “
“These (letters) have come via descent from a branch of Gandhi’s family to the present vendor,“ Mullock’s had earlier said in a statement. “As far as we are aware they have never before been seen in public and as such they provide remarkable new information on the troubled relationship Gandhi had with his son.”