As auctioneers in New York prepare to sell off some of Mahatma Gandhi’s possessions, including his metal-rimmed spectacles and sandals, Gandhians in India are saddened and hope the buyers will keep the objects in public domain.

"Our every thought, relations, imagination, Indian culture — everything is being marketed in America. As always India is aping the West — so it would be foolish to expect anything else," said Ramachandra Rahi, secretary of Gandhi Memorial Foundation.

"All of Gandhi’s things should be ideally placed in a museum or place where public has access to it. It should be available to future generations to see and draw inspiration from," Rahi said.

The distinctive sandals and round metal-rimmed glasses worn by Mahatma Gandhi are to be auctioned off in New York in what has been described as a "truly historic sale," on March 4 and 5.

The auction also includes his pocket watch and a bowl and a plate given to his grand-niece Abha Gandhi.

Gandhi gave his glasses to an Indian army colonel H A Shiri Diwan Nawab, with the words: "These gave me the vision to free India."

The sandals were given to a British army officer in 1931 prior to Round Table talks in London.

His Zenith pocket-watch was given to his grand-niece, Abha Gandhi, his assistant of six years, in whose arms he fell after being shot in 1948.

Rahi said the auction is "a lowly act" and "not in consonance with Gandhiji’s values."

"His relics will be priced but not valued."