Former Canadian health minister and B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh has urged Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene to stop the auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s artefacts in New York scheduled for this week.

Dosanjh, who in 2000 created history by becoming the first non-white premier of any Canadian province, told IANS: "I am writing a letter to Dr. Singh to impress upon him the importance of acquiring these artefacts."

Gandhi’s possessions — sandals, a pair of metal-rimmed glasses, a pocket watch, and a bowl and plate — are set for auction in New York this week.

Urging India to stop the proposed auction at all costs, Dosanjh said: "It is incumbent upon the government of India to acquire these artefacts and repatriate them to India. They should be displayed in some museum for the public to see."

Dosanjh, who followed Gandhi’s method of non-violence to oppose Khalistani militants in Canada, almost paid with his life in the mid-1980s.

"I am proud of being an Indian and I take tremendous pride in my Indian heritage," he said.

"Mahatma Gandhi is the most potent symbol of that great heritage. He is the only Indian who is known all over the world.

"India needs to protect everything about the Mahatma — his belongings, his writings, his artefacts or his values."

Dosanjh, now Liberal MP for Vancouver, said he shared the dismay of Gandhians at the proposed auction.

"If the government of India cannot stop this, these rich Indians should come forward to stop the auction and thus show the world that they care about the Mahatma and their Indian heritage.

"India owes it to itself and the world to preserve the belongings and heritage of Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

The auction includes a bowl and a plate given to his grand niece Abha Gandhi, and his sandals that were given to a British army officer in 1931 prior to the Round Table talks in London.

The items were put together by a collector. The auctioneers feel that the items will sell for more than the estimated $55,000.