CHENNAI: A group of Gandhi enthusiasts in the city on Thursday expressed fears over the possible lack of security for the Mahatma memorabilia at museums and houses where they are on display. G Ram Mohan, a follower of the Mahatma and a former employee with Indian Railways, claimed that 20 years ago, there was insufficient security at places like Kirthi Mandir in Porbandar; Kaba-ka-dera and Mohandas Gandhi Vidyalaya in Rajkot; Gandhi Museum, Samaldas College in Bhavnagar; Kocharab Ashram and Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad; Aga Khan Palace, Pune; Wardha Ashram, National Gandhi Museum and Gandhi Museum, Madurai.
“When I visited many of these places some 20 years ago, I noticed the lack of security. Though I mentioned this in the visitors’ book, there was no response from the authorities,” he said at a press meet.
He, however, clarified that he had no idea of the present situation. “But at that point of time it was possible for anybody to take away the objects on display from many of the major museums,” he added.
The press meet was organised by Sevalaya, a registered charitable trust. Mohan’s claims could not be independently verified at the time of going to press.
According to him, Mani Bhawan in Mumbai and Birla House in New Delhi were the only two places that have a proper security system in place.
Within Sabarmati Ashram at the house called Hriday Kunj he came across a pocket watch of the same type used by Gandhiji kept unprotected in a corner of a mattress spread on the floor. Important documents, such as Gandhiji’s original age certificate signed by his father, his mark sheets and examination result sheets were kept locked in an almirah with a glass door (under the custody of the principal) at the high school in Rajkot.
“These items are invaluable. But there was no property facility to ensure their safe custody. The possibility of them being stolen are high,” he said. He also said that when he enquired about certain items, he was told that they were replicas.
In Wardha ashram, Gandhi and Kasturi Ba’s memorabilia like cloths woven by them, Gandhi’s japamala and the famous statues of three monkeys were kept in almirahs with thin glass shutters and cheap locks. An old age ‘magneto’ type telephone used by Gandhi was kept on an open table.
“The entire National Gandhi Museum in New Delhi has been re-arranged since my visit in 1990. I made my last visit to the museum on September 14, 2008. Now the memorabilia are kept in a place designated as the ‘Martyrdom Gallery’.